Epitaph of An Addict

Stalking him, Always now, In the daylight, or down city street, no matter. Sleek- a panther, its coat cast obsidian under a moon in anarchy. Behind him, or in front, Clutching deeply until each appendage of self falls victim; The brain, the belly And the heart unwittingly surrenders. And the heart. For although it assuages his fear It absorbs the essence of the spirit. It has given inexplicable sorrow a name. And although the symptoms are in juxtaposition Nonetheless it defines the nature of his disease; In this he has found the substance for his epitaph. And you, who are behooved by deadly youth's penchant for morbidity, Seize now, his eyes, glance for glance, And answer this question which binds his life to a name. Who can be so blind as to assume That one is amongst the living because you see him walking? B ecause his lungs expand and so much toxic air is absobed And expelled?