MELANCHTHON'S LULLABY


The knife poised over veins and tendons
   aiming to end such misery and pain
Come my dear child, do this act,
   think of the relief you will gain
I offer to you a place of santuary
   much happier than your parents' home
No smack, crank, or crack will you find,
   like on those mean streets you roam
Mother won't beat you, Father won't rape you
   all of the strangers will be kind
Boyfriends will love you, people won't ask you
   "Are you out of you fuckin' mind?"
Now where was I? I lost my place,
   there are so many of you of late
Go ahead with it, slit you wrists,
   how long do you expect me to wait?
I've read you poems, so full of angst
   isn't this what you really want to do?
Go ahead, my little slut, end your life,
   like, who really gives a damn about you?
Your future is bleak, empty and futile,
   you've already told me so?
With nothing to live for my pretty,
   please don't go away mad, just GO!
Slice down hard, don't be afraid,
   blood is such a lovely shade of red
Now don't tell me that thoughts of survival
   have entered your empty little head
Well, if not you, then I'll find another
   among all these fifteen-year-old fools
Who want to give up on this grand game
   even before they know all the rules
So go to sleep my little one,
   and dream of having a wonderful life
But remember if it doesn't work out,
   I'm still here, and so is the knife