Your mistake

You know that time of day
where the sun looks like it's ready to set
but hasn't quite reached the horizon yet
and your shadow chases you all the way home?
Do you know that moment where the sun touches the ground 
and you're left wondering how it's possible
for such a beautiful 
wonderful
wild thing to give in to gravity 
and lie down under its covers without complaint?
And do you know that time in the morning 
early, early morning
when the grass is heavy with dew 
and the stars are fading fast?
Do you know that feeling of joy 
that overwhelms you 
consumes you 
eats you up and fills you with a joy you can't explain 
when the sun comes back,
spreading its light on your eager face 
and warming your entire body?
That light 
created you,
it created life.
But by shutting the sun out 
with your tall buildings,
by dumping your trash in the ocean 
because you think it's better forgotten about 
than dealt with,
by making things look pretty now,
you're killing yourself later.

Inkpaw

VT

17 years old

More by Inkpaw

  • The Boxes In The Corner

    Looming over your shoulders

    Each stack higher than its former

    Every thought and every scrap

    Of an idea too scared to ponder

     

    Every moment that hurt

    Each minute that lingered longer

  • Inadequacy


    How do I push the words out
    From behind my taffy tongue 
    Thick with salty tears 
    And full of grubby thumb 


    I’m a child 
    Pretending that I’m numb 
    To escape the overwhelming feelings 

  • Paper Frogs

    Why

    When feet fall soft but quick 

    Does the hallway extend

    And the hot breath of whoever’s behind me feel hotter 

    Why do I stay pressed to the wall 

    Like a stubborn gruby sticker