[the rat king knocked on my iron door]

the rat king knocked on my iron door

and said, “time’s up, get your ass off the bed”

i stood up wishing for breakfast

—bacon and eggs would be perfect, and a cup of

coffee—nine years had passed since the last time I’d drank coffee

no milk, no sugar, I only drink coffee when I drink coffee,

that’s what she said every single day at the breakfast table, she drank

coffee as if it was a gift from God or something

and it goddamn was—

at the time i could never imagine myself

standing in the darkness,

waiting for another darkness,

thinking about breakfast

(Hitoshi)