survival in poetry

What which does not kill you
hopefully leaves a cool lookin’ scar
that will drive the babes wild.

What which does not kill you
only leaves you soft and weak
and hobbled and angry
and just that much closer to dying.

What which does not kill you
is still coming for you
is still waiting in the wings
is still just working on the timing
keep an aluminum bat on your nightstand.

What which does not kill you
…doesn’t kill you.
You’re not dead.
Who cares if you’re weaker
or stronger or broke even
you’re alive!
You can wake up tomorrow morning
and maybe something will have changed
maybe your fortunes will be better now.
You are still alive
and as long as you’ve got that
you’ve got hope.

What which does not kill you
is a loser and a failure
because it couldn’t finish the goddamned job.
Whatever was trying to kill you
you were stronger than that bastard.
And that’s a pretty good feeling.
That’s a really good feeling.
Because at least for tonight
you have won.

Treat yourself to a beer
you deserve it.