Reply to Rudy Francisco’s ‘Ouch’

what? what doesn’t wither?

even the alchemist
calls an abomination anything
that seeks the urge to not

return. home. deception
disguises, masquerading
as youth; glowing skin,
libido— isn’t desire poison?

there is nothing
there is something
there is whatever it is there is.
I am tired of being tired of
all these bright stars
all claiming to stand at the
messiah’s head.

I. I. I am happy, living, writing
withering.

Younglan Talyoung