Poetry

Can I-

intrude into your fantasy?

Can I tell you a shocking truth?

Can I become everything you hate

so that I can love myself?

Can I dream of a job with impactful meaning

i’m aware of what

feels like an

unbreakable addiction,

but i try

and i try

and i try

as i ironically agree

with every instagram reel

saying phones

are ruining this world

the leaves will start falling soon

and the ground will crunch under my feet

and i'll stop and stare 

forget where i am going 

pull out my phone and snap 

a million photos of the trees

When rain bounces off the windshield 

In patterns, 

Drumming to the sky’s heartbeat 

In soft thrums, 

I begin to think and 

am I free

will I ever be

is the meaning in the trees

will they ever be pleased 

as I fall to my knees

does someone hear my screams

when I join everyone leaves

I wish I could just breath

Sea breeze blows my hair

The waves crash onto the beach

Maine ocean in fall

she came up behind me one day & tapped me on the shoulder

i spun on my heel, unsteady, a dumb american consistently

ashamed of my language

she pointed at my face and drew a heart in the air with her thumbs

i bought pumpkin pie lip balm that tasted like

fall in california

even though i'm in new hampshire

and the leaves are curling. 

the lights in sephora were sickly bright

like the lights

We,

The writers

The comedians

The storytellers

The artists.

We’re the ones who move forward.

We’re further than we were hundreds of years ago,

Yes,

But.

We’re not done.

I stare out of the car window, 

with my life anthem 

blasting in my ears, 

but not quite loud enough 

to drown out the sound 

of my dad talking to my cousin. 

I'm glad that you've reached this point in your life

I'm thrilled that you've gotten this far

I'm happy for you

Watching you grow "up" into someone who has a steady foundation in their life

I heard a whisper in the wind.

It bled into the paper-

bleaching out rubies for diamonds.

Whispers of the man who followed

A lead marked with a chloric scent

that would never leave even after years.