the old modern

modernity is defined

by absence

by the

i don’t get it

why i didn’t get it

by the empty space

meant to show distance

and safety

but the buildings’ lights

don’t turn off in the night

and the basement

hasn’t been explored yet

because its too dark

by irony and iron

both crusting and rusting

when a hospital sickens

more than it heals

by the past passing

by the future forecasting

by the present that is gone

before it gets here

for here is only absence

and the modern truth is

that there are no definitions

for modernity,

except maybe:

bye

*

life was simpler

when it wasn’t life

with its complexity and misgivings

and tales of how i’ll understand

when i’m older

but i’m only more lost and tired

and older now

than when i was when i started

and i still don’t understand

how and when to end

though i know it’ll come

*

free me

from me

for i

forget i