turpentine chaser

this paint has been tasting of lead

& their chips will fall as they may

but it's not just my finish that is peeling

& it is not alone fleeing these walls. well sooner of later this cold

it's gonna break

so our hands will be warm again

but all i want is not to need you now. and sooner or later this code

it's gonna break

& our words will be heard again

but all i want are vows of silence now. this turpentine chaser's got kick

& the rag that it's soaked in is rich. the fumes aide the pace of my cleaning

& as soon as i'm done i am gone. the frightening facts

we've been facing our backs

for so long now

are begging for eyes

to bear witness to lies

& indifference. now we're saying aloud

the things we've declared in our silence. the new coats of paint will not reaquaint

broken hearts to broken homes.