The Intoxicant

by Brian Rosenberger

It's like a cocoon
warm, like blankets on a bleak December day
a protective embrace
bury yourself
another drink to enhance or dull the blade
as needed
everything seems more real, or less
reality, a comfortable distance away
and you, the conscientious observer
the bottle makes it bearable
it's home
and if you're a resident
having crossed the welcome mat
this poem is for you, my beauty,
my vulnerable friend
because you understand the pull
irresistible
my little moth
courting the flame
again
and
again
and
again
and sure you will burn
but don't we all
in the end

Writing is a whore

by Brian Rosenberger

It get you off
a price you pay
again and again
willingly
regardless of the
consequences
and there are consequences,
sacrifices to be made
wrists yearning the kiss
of the blade
make no mistake about that
a willing offering to the muse
an ejaculation of ink
a spurt of originality
and truth
if you have the courage
and I think, I hope, you do
to open up
spill yourself
and the words
ah, the words
creation
a vice worth having


*recent and upcoming publishing credits include the anthologies Sideshow 2, Terror of Miskatonic Falls, Retro Spec, and Best New Zombie Tales. Brian also has two books waiting to be unleashed in 2010. additional updates can be found at http://home.earthlink.net/~brosenberger.