Risking It All

it pains you
more than birth or death
folds you in a box
in the dark in the light

beaming, hazing
it elates and disheartens
brings you to tears
it charms, it pleases
makes and breaks
and reels and spins

it’s a top
a pendulum
a perpetual dance
to a beating drum in my ears

you want it to stop
but it’s vital like air
and you know in the end
you'll be wanting or sated
but you say to yourself
it’s a risk that’s worth taking.