black gold is the feeling when it hits your bloodstream, the unease at five a.m. after staying up all night doing things you regret but will do again and again. black gold is the taste of blinding white, the numbness on your lips and throat. black gold is the corrosion you’ve swallowed, with comforting warmth tempered by unease. black gold is the release that makes you hiss, gape and sing with us: