One-Tenth Alive

staring deep and long into Yorick's sockets
into the void where there was once his jovial brain

just one-tenth alive

only knowing a hawk from a hand-saw
when the wind is southerly

just one-tenth alive

hearing the mockery of the brain-washed masses
almost tasting the hemlock

just one-tenth alive

drinking like a fish
washing about in a sea of troubles

just one-tenth alive

dirt-poor,
waiting in the university library all day,

just one-tenth alive but
having seen much of life on this earth,
knowing that I may as easily live as die,
striving for a higher purpose
fighting for a deep, immortal worth