quitting the chemicals

Is this the fast that I have chosen
this undiluted suffering?
Is there someone sitting on my chest
resisting my every move?
What is the reason for this treatment
when will it be over?
My brain fires questions like a machine gun
but the answers never come
Am I not contrite or humble enough?
I have clawed at these pages
for some sort of explanation
The heavens are as brass
and the earth is iron
There is no one listening
no one sees me here
I am a quivering shadow of a man
still alive
but to no avail
Every day is a new show,
a new battle to fight
get your head on straight
lace your boots up tight
Answers won't come to you
keep up a healthy barrage
and someday those doors will open
Someday
you'll be in the clear
Someday
there will be no need to fear.

took the teeth from the bulldog

These are your stories
all of them
they are written with vagueness
and hyperbole
but they all point to you
and your singular struggle
You have found yourself
ground down and burned out,
a mess of naked nerves
You thought you found the bottom
but always seem to go deeper still
Aren't we all just a function
of the chemicals
running through our brains?
What happens when the chemicals end
and the refusal begins?
Well, this time you're on your own
this time might be your last chance
fight with all your fortitude
and the last remnants of your wit
You took the teeth from the bulldog
but who took your bark
and your bite?
This is it now
you're in the fight of your life.