Safety in Stillness

He resigns himself
to motionlessness
held fearful between the twin
jaws of middle aged angst
and uncertain future clamping down on him

there is safety
in stillness, a peace
painful yet predictable
the knowing of nothingness

this vice
a pleasant prison impenetrable
which he dares not escape

slowly, life bleeds out
as pressure builds
squeezes all hope
beads of sweat dripping

off his brow onto the floor
worry expurgated at such cost
what price refuge
when joy’s possibility is lost