underside

You should speak what's on your mind

Why is it that when we pass one another,

we refuse to look beyond the careful, haunted

exchanged smiles?

If I don't believe in distance

and I don't believe in the gaze of strangers,

Then refusing to be held accountable for my thoughts

Will set me free.

(I am in pain.)

Maybe what we expect to do is hide inside our coffee cups.

But when the real-talk comes

We throw ourselves away

With the cardboard and half-eaten doughnuts.

(Why do I have to be the one to cross tripwires every time?)

Let's shatter the space that is spread between the rivets of the picnic table.

We can be like ants and interlock half-way

And still remain safe while sharing breath and being.

(That is how we are in my daydreams.)

~