How I Became Bullet Proof

There will be no more sympathy fucks

Or courtesy listening

Or smiles given to the undeserving, the shallow, the fake

There will certainly be no laughter shared

I will own me

I will walk these streets focusing only on the number of steps I take

I will not make eye contact--only to give random glares of contempt

I will depend on no one

I will count on no one

I will ask nothing of anyone

I will own me

I will take great measures in my anticipation of unpredictable and difficult obstacles,

so that I will be prepared when and if they do arise.

I will be a self sufficient mechanism

I will create art only as an armour for myself

I will impose strict routine and ritual

I will be composed of signals and zippers

I will care no longer for the human condition

Nothing can hurt me ever again

Now that I am my own protector.