dusty shoes, calloused soles trudging. darkness hides the horizon past the expanse of the sea, hides the menace, vessels poised to shoot. it's late, i'm alone, the breeze salty, fresh, intoxicating, delicious, calms my nerves, tools the fire in my mind. quiet at last. don't stop. this is peace. let it last, at least for this second. dusty shoes, calloused soles, trudging. war, let it come. i know it will anyway. nothing could be worse than life is now. kill us fast or kill us slow. where is the hope inside? how deep? how long? how long? how long will this go on? dusty shoes, calloused sole, trudging. a good joke, my body convulses, laughter, so precious, so good. see, there is something still inside, free, unconstrained, for this moment. dusty shoes, calloused soles, trudging. such shame, i'm a professional, a respected leader, courage took days to mount. friend, were you able to save any this month? could you lend me a bit? i'm so, so, so sorry to ask. such shame. dusty shoes, calloused soles, trudging. can i approach the