...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv658wfVt6I

I'm carving my name into a plain brick wall.
I'm leaving a mark between the shadow of prison bars.
I'm scratching lines into fives and stacking them by six,

Before admitting to myself

"I already know what lifelessness is."

I'm leaving a stencil to a one man chain gang -
One man and one hand but a chain gang all the same.

I'm teething for a cigarette,
Shedding for a drink,

But I just can't live my life like this.

No,

When I reach the end 
I'm not going to pretend

That I won't be looking back to this.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Not sure if this poem reflects bitterness or regret, but the mood is somber, as if the speaker is describing lost or wasted time. There is prison imagery sprinkled in the poem in a number of places, but this is probably symbolic of confining circumstances. The end of the work may signify either resignation or the determination to start over. One can only hope things go better next time around.

[Ookpik]

That's a succinct analysis, though i hope it projects more recognition then regret. The prison imagery is definitely symbolic (if I were doing time I'd probably be afk) and I like your take on the ending's dual significance. It's coming from a place of decided sobriety and addiction generally ends one of those two ways. Appreciate the review John and as much so to your perspective.

- Ook