The Importance of Zero

Passing streets in Portland  
seeing people pan handlin
craving for a fix  
strung out like a damn mandolin  
cattle driven and never questioning who's in the saddle  
hollow as a ping pong being beaten by a paddle  
puddle splashed, sidewalk trash, shanty town huddle
numb lips sputter spit as they mumble gibberish
once vivid dreams of their childhood innocence
replaced by rocks and scribblish thoughts  
pupils resembling black dots dragging on a sentence..
even though it wants to stop
but they can't stop.
Their staggered teeth stutter
and their frail body shivers
inslaved by the cravings  
waiting for the dose to be delivered
one more hit, then you can quit but you better do it quick
never high, only momentarily numb
from lack of drugs  
causing cactus giving hugs
pricking skin and spreading bugs
biting nails and pouring blood
can you see your reflection in the mud?
Or do your sins smell like soap and suds
a blossomed flower laughing at the buds
the duds,  
the zeroes never meant to be ones