Popcorn

there are all the things I could do with three minutes alone in my room

I have an essay to write and Hebrew to study

I have things to look up and notifications to check

on november first we said

ohgodit'snovemberalreadywheredidallthetimego taking

up all the time in the world with our breath.

on november fifth we said

ohgodpleaseprotectushavemercyonoursins praying

I scroll through the options

Endless rows

And rows

And rows

Of smileys

And animals

And faces

And people

And things.

I scroll through the multicolored hearts

The laughing faces

Inspired by the lockdown drill and debrief I had in school today

Cold hands on my shoulder that chilled to the bone

A school hallway, a morning like a dream. A class change.

a lesbian couple on my bus home from school

a man in a punk battle jacket on the street

my mother's female CEO group chat blowing up

four of my teachers taking the following day off