Excruciating Smile

by Michael Martelack
(Long Island, New York)

The awareness of sacrifice bleeds to the surface
with eruptions of disgust
exploding from the pit of innocence.

Disclosure of sentiments empty my surroundings
leaving me all to myself
suffering within my perishable intellect
as my mind screams at the silence of exhaustion.

The persecution of moral character
engages the Devil's advocation
toward desired misery
as beautiful affliction
scares a facade
fractured
by
pain