for whom does it toll? he asked

point the pistol at a head
paint it bulls-eye red

watch the pool of contrived thinking spread
over the slippery floor
always but nevermore

said the Raven once before

please tell me what ALL this is for
even if you're not sure
sitting virtually at the wheel of a speeding fully-leather car
passing everything

whoever it is you are

behind the blindfold

closer today to home, but really really far
away in the desert of your dreams
finding it's not always what it seems

there are ladies in the nearby parlor

sipping tea

talking of philodendron-colored pee

and how it made them feel

when the backyard pigs would squeal

the bed where we find ourselves 

asleep
is thick and deliciously deep

and we feast

our hours & hours & hours are steep

but we don't mind

someone else is climbing towards the sun

reaching with a smoking gun
body armor now undone

smelling the opium

and feeling so damn intelligent

it's not too late for our morning shower
whatever the song being sung

whatever the hour,

the King or Queen is ready

there's a bell being rung

but for whom does it toll? 

he asked.