Poetry

Lumbar props.

Arm rests.

Foot stools.

Things people who have money

or connections can afford.

The rest of us

Improvise or simply suffer.

We want it.

We need it.

It helps with the necessities of life.

We want more.

We think we need more.

More than we need to survive.

More to see no one else

has power over us

because they see we want money.

It is held over our heads

like a dream out of reach.

Yet we still grab for it.

Greedy?

Or simply habit?

When epiphany awakes.

You realize just what you dread.

the words finally find you.

You can make them said.

Acknowledge them

and then maybe

just maybe

you can address it

and find a way to conquer it.

At a time

Of uncertainty.

Remorse dwells deep.

Fear inculcates hatred.

Suspicion leads to anger.

Mistrust wipes out hope.

Yet hope remains.

It is stronger than most people realize.

It is a shell of a life.

Dedicated to others.

Nothing for myself.

I give and give and give.

Eventually I break.

I have nothing more to give.

They are okay.

I am not.

It will take several more years

before I begin to get better.

The struggle is still there.

I am still expected to give.

Now I take time for myself.

This routine was broken

and now it is time

to renew the energy

that was given by the break.

The pair broken up.

What should be whole

Is incomplete.

Once again

the dryer ate the other sock.

I read a short one page

That had the kid

Advertise a brand of cookies.

I remember him saying how

Some adults like to drink tea

When they eat them.

Where as I agreed with him

Milk is the best accompaniment

To any sweet treat.

There is a real world out there.

Reminders remind me.

Appointments still need to be done.

Virtual or a phone call.

People want to know if you are still alive.

Responsibilities never go away.

It stares at me.

It has no eyes.

Yet I know it sees me.

It laughs.

And smirks as I walk by.

It is not alive.

Yet I feel like it is hiding something.

Probably my sanity.

Spring sets in cabin fever.

Covid isolation

Amplifies this hidden desire.

The sun shines brightly

And all you see is the view

Of other people enjoying it.