Poetry

Drained.

Exhausted.

Frozen in Time.

Push the Envelope.

Dare to Try.

Energy Removed.

Push Back.

Denial is denied.

For the past couple years

During this pandemic

Getting sick has been scary.

Yet manageable

Due to regulations

And paranoia.

So imagine getting a cold

After having avoided one

For years?

The awful flow

From nose and throat

Only making the skin

Around the protuberances red

And raw.

At least it wasn’t Covid.

Thankfully

Not this time.

Tire tracks

Left behind

From a scared

Or rushed driver.

Things don’t

Always tell

The truth

When half

Of the story

Is left out.

Why?

Only they can tell you.

And they are no longer here.

But they have left

Physical evidence

Behind.

Do you really want to know the story?

Or is it enough

To shake your head

As you walk on by.

The noises come out

from the growls

and the hisses.

The fur stands on end

and the tail puffs

so regally.

I know they do it for show

to get the other cat to back down.

Yet, it is always a sight to see

as they walk sideways

towards each other

tails flared beyond belief.

Some days I wish I had a tail.

If only to indicate

what makes me angry

without having to say anything.

How often are we told

“Oh a peck on the cheek is alright!”

“It’s just being polite.”

How many inappropriate kisses

have we watched on the screens.

Are we learning to be victims

each time we accept being uncomfortable.

“If they are picking on you, it just means they like you!”

Too consistently are we being forced

to be an object for someone else’s desire.

Ask before you kiss?

Ask before you hug?

Ask before you touch?

Ask before you assume!

Just ask!

Eyes hurt less.

Lights out.

Moving slowly.

Tripping over a cat

Is less a worry.

Insomnia brings distorted

World views.

Memories of strange encounters.

Still life goes on.

Sleep will eventually come.

Dawn will break

and so will I.

Get the walking stick.

Find the hiking boots.

Water canteen

and the thermal socks.

Camping gear set.

Tent packed and off we go.

Nature awaits

as long as it does not snow.

Even then we will walk

as the cold winds blow.

The light is filtered.

The screen changes scenes.

What was once bright

Now darkens.

Through the eyelids

These changes take place.

Once the bright returns

I know the advertisements

Are over.

I can continue

My gaming journey.

Unless I close my eyes

And truly fall asleep.

Then no amount of light

Makes a difference.

Until my bloodshot eyes open

In the morning.

Before my coffee

Text

After

Text

Begging me

Pushing me

Growling

I arrive

And give him his donut anyways

He was put in his place.

Once.

By the teacher.

After he had been harassing her.

Bullying her.

Making her hate herself.

Again.

After all I do.

I love her.

Am I to lose her?