i have this impulse, i can’t control it. my parents say i’ve always been particular, but as i grew up it reached a point that it wasn’t acceptable. every situation, whether i knew what i was doing or not, i felt a need to commandeer it and do it my way. the sympathy or lack thereof i showed for others was overt. one example is 9th grade math class. when working with partners i would never let them...

the laugh of someone who doesn’t know

the admirers they obliviously tow

hair dirty brown like the ground we sow

this character’s stature is far from low...

my parents sat me down at the old couch, i could tell we were going to talk about something serious. i felt anxiety bubbling in my chest, “don’t worry you’re not in trouble. we just have to tell you something. we’re moving, and you have to leave Max here. our new house has a small yard, it will be better for him somewhere else.” i wasn’t crying at the thought of moving, not yet anyway, but i immed...

i saw the whole thing. the movie was pretty good....

i walk through the mall, trying to listen for the echoes of my footsteps among the chatter of people around me. i don’t know which store i’m going to, or what i’m trying to find, but i walk with purpose anyway. nearby i hear music, i decide to head in that direction. i don’t look at the name of the store before heading in. i observe the clothes around me, all seem to be exercise clothes. i turn to...

my heart had been empty so long,

yet it felt as if i’d always been whole

i thought you’d always be in my life,

you said you’d always play a role..

i listen for my heartbeat, am i still alive?

the fingers reach out, searching for a sound

though i can feel it on the wrist,

i’m sure this heart has no pound.

i sit in silence, but no one is there to notice

this heart and soul must no longer exist

...