a little bit scratchy.

it was dark out; still not certain what that meant.

head-in-the-clouds optimistic
but also
eyes-in-clouds blurry,
often wondering;
is any of this real?

wondering how others could just,
be in the world.

i was always
clumsy & distracted by
my nervous shoulders, my clenched stomach,
my foggy head.

i was always
stuck with me circling calenders on the dates —
whispering words that sound more like wishes
even as soon as they’re said.

i grow older but, even still,
my mind can never keep up with the time.

i change my hair color & try to convince myself
that things are different, now.

like banner words & things.

words on strings,
flapping in the wind
like loose confetti.

too terrified to find us here, now,
we focus on the forevers
& the ‘when‘s —
the befores the yesterdays the never agains.

so caught up in remembering
we don’t remember to forget
&
the time sand-slips ever-on

whether or not we’re watching.