Level of Distress

Depending on the level of distress
Exhibited by people who expect
Some sort of payoff after they inject
A substance in their arms that's more or less
The essence of a sad, unholy mess
When nothing happens, that's when you'll detect
What not to do, what won't work to correct
A problem. Sometimes you should not say yes.

I don't have friends who do that to themselves,
Because those people have no friends at all.
They'll shake, and wander up and down the hall
Checking the door frames and the pantry shelves,
Believing they can see the future, elves,
Or truth, and never answer when you call.