The Wail

The wail was there when he
Woke up that morning.

His dream ended, his eyes opened -
And there it was.

The Wail.

It was quiet at first. Distant.
It wasn't too difficult to drown out:

Drink helped. It worked for a while.
Then pills: they did the trick

Until the wail grew louder,
Like late-night TV static
Or early-morning commuter traffic -
Soon drowning out everything

Until all that was left was to stick
A gun in his mouth.

That worked.

That silenced The Wail,
As well as all his critics.