Kerouac's Emptiness Poem by Richard Wlodarski

I awaken and see the light
Not knowing what is bright
I smell the freshness of the day
Surprised at what's to my dismay

I wash up and scrub my face
Facing up to life's disgrace
Trying so very hard to win defeat
In such solemn time when I should retreat

I rest in the noon of sunny day
Fretful of the awful come-what-may
Wishin' I were in another place
In my dyin' space of disgrace

I sleep in the howlin' wolf's moon
Darkest of dreams coming too soon
Resurrecting and killing of my life
Acknowledging all of my damn life's strife