been_there raze rodents and lizards patrol this desiccated ditch. allies and antagonists. i'm slipping on a pair of my warmest socks when a man who reminds me of the father of a former friend starts talking to himself. all i can make out is the culmination of his complaints: "getting old." he turns to me and says, "what about you? there must be something that's broken in you." i lift the hand capable of doing the most harm and aim one long finger at my chest. the hooks in his own heart hoist his lips up edgewise. that's the smirk of someone who knows the whole tale without being told a bit of it. 241217 what's it to you? who go blather from