I seek asylum
from myself, but
where can I go
that does not involve
walking across
the broken borders of alcohol,
or the splintered languages of medication?
Where can I go
to escape the madness
of myself, the crashing destruction
of my mind, the taste
of blood dreaming in my mouth?
Where can I go
when there is nowhere to go
but outside of myself,
permanently out?
Where can I go
leaving the little good
I know behind forever,
becoming the enemy
I have always known myself to be?
DENY
Into the red distance
of tomorrow
we stare, squinting our eyes
so the future
isn't as clear,
that willful haze the possibility
of a better future than the one we know
is there waiting,
the one we know
we so truly deserve.
About The Poet
Edward Lee's poetry, short stories, non-fiction and photography have been
published in magazines in Ireland, England and America, including The Stinging
Fly, Skylight 47, Acumen and Smiths Knoll. His debut poetry collection "Playing
Poohsticks On Ha'Penny Bridge" was published in 2010. He is currently working
towards a second collection. He also makes musical noise under the names
Ayahuasca Collective, Lewis Milne, Orson Carroll, Blinded Architect, Lego Figures
Fighting, and Pale Blond Boy. His blog/website can be found at: