prosaic stretch marks

Deserting their dreams, wizened men
follow queues, scratch their heads
and wonder where their hair has gone
or why it's been so very long
since taking up their beds
and shuffling the ledger slate.

By data rape, extrapolate
defy description, trade a fate
the suicidal blonde is late
and setting stars configurate.

The worst-case prognosis:
a self-serving lecture
that feasts on conjecture
and seals my psychosis;
such decadence squeals in its pen.

Deserving their demons, wise men
follow cues, stroke their hair
and wander where their heads have gone.