This is a Comb

This is the president tweeting. This is my fake, white tree. This is my name spelled correctly. Someone complimented me. Then I got dissed. There are ghosts slipping between my fingers. They are wringing their hands. I want to hole up in my place and never come out. I want to call my ex. Here are some bitches who think they’re punk rock. When I say bitch it isn’t gendered. This time. Here’s a sock without a match. Here’s a person who really doesn’t care. Here’s a person who wishes desperately to care, but most of all, to understand. This is someone showing me a poem. This is me feeling shame. When the poets talk I want to participate. Here I am trying to participate and exaggerating myself as a protective measure. It is still me, but performed. The realer me sneaks in: I’m getting pissed and trying to stay cordial. The ghosts are drying their hair. I am under water. I want to come up for air.

(appeared in ANMLY, issue 29)