/ˈnôrməl/
adjective
conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
"it's quite normal for puppies to bolt their food"

That's the thing about our
species as humans. We adapt
over time; learn to make the best
of what we have. We are
survivors at heart; it is 
in our blood and nature. We
have been taught to prepare for
natural disasters,
robberies,
a bunch of random things that could
destroy us. But I swear to god
or anything or anyone up there,
no one could have been prepared
for this. 
I WANT MY LIFE BACK

My friend has his bar mitzvah 
on the full year of quarantine:
March 13th, 2021. Shocking, 
if you think about it. A full year
of isolation,
facetime calls,
empty nothingness...
it's become normal. 
We've adapted. Now we know
to not leave the house without
a mask and hand sanitizer, 
we know to stay six feet apart
even if you see your best friend
passing you on the street.
We've adapted. 
AND I WANT MY LIFE BACK

Some good things have happened.
I learned guitar.
Transferred schools.
Fell in love and had my heart
b r o k e n    i n     t w o 
but I'm fine now.
Started writing poetry.
Discovered this magical site. 
Found out a bunch of things
that make up who I am.
I'm pan. 
I think I'm trans.
But I might still be gender fluid.
BUT I STILL WANT MY LIFE BACK

Some bad things have happened.
Political mayhem.
1/6/21.
Isolation.
Virtual school, with complementary sides
of headaches. 
the. whole. pandemic.
YOU HEAR ME? I WANT MY LIFE BACK

...
That may be my biggest secret
that I hold to my heart 
right now.
I want my life back.
I want the old normal to return.
I don't want to spend 
my teenage years isolated from
my friends and the people who  
mean the world to me.
So.
For the love of god
and all things holy,
I. want. my. life. back.

Is it too much to ask for some
normal in my life?

I don't think it is. 

AND DON'T TELL ME-
don't tell me things will get better
because I know that. Dammit,
I know that. Don't baby me
with lies and illusions because
I can see through them. So can
everyone else who will read this. 
So don't lie. Because I can see through all your
bullshit lies you tell us. 
Yes, it will get better.
But can you tell me
when?

No.

You can't.

So stop lying. 

And find a way to give me my life back.

I don't ask for much. 

Just a bit of normality.