there is a consequence to human consciousness.

a duality, in which one end will beg a great darkness; as to soak in the straits of self and knowing, is enough to drive any aware soul towards the cliffs of insanity. as where its counter is only to be matched, by the sharp split and hard search for some sort of blissful beacon. an alleviation of euphoria, a semblance of hope--- such as love, drugs, sex etc.,

and then, there is an in-between...

a liminal boredom. call it a large stone in your pocket. weighing you down slowly, until you are utterly paralyzed by the weight. the steady numb that is without contrasting relief. these are the only options. seemingly.

poet and author joshua tool finds the plagues of promise and problem and purges such paradox into word paintings with playful pen on painful pages. somehow finding comfort and great humbling from the idea of death and mortality,

but also completely destroyed by it. leading to depression, alcohol abuse and self annihilation.

as any artistic endeavor, this is an attempt at catharsis.

a reach at connection. a vow of wishful conviction, and a scream for change!

moreover, within the structure and deconstruction of his poetry; this book, like any honest art,

you will feel it in your bones. in your teeth. in your sleep.

this three year collection by tool, is an alchemistic amalgam of all things that burn the body