The Attention.

Maggots sunk into his back

And the hollows of his cheek,

Plucking away at vocal chords and courage.

He was robbed of strength,

But he didn’t mind.

Attention, the absorption and how they craved him,

Carving round bone,

Bit by bit it burned,

Dissecting him from skin to soul.

But what was he to do?

Pluck them out? Singe them away?

No, no, he could not bring himself to do so,

For everyone knows

Maggots only feast on those

Already asleep.