The Poetry Marathon

Simple days
Simple breaths
Simple moments
Simple smiles

Simple thoughts
Simple dances
Simple waves
Simple souls

Simple hearts
Simple touches
Simple glances
Simple hands
Simple beats

Simple laughs
Simple minds
Simple love
Simple calls

Simple toes
Simple cries
Simple words
Simple pain

There’s no such thing as simple life

The foundations are rotten
They weren’t built to withstand
All that they have gathered
Corner cobwebs
Creaking floors
Crumbling walls
Poisonous vines

But they stay there
So comfortable with
The shattered glass
That they don’t heed the calls
Of the architect
Handing them
The blueprints of a better home
They ignore the
Knocks on doors
Telling them that their home is killing them

Black mold clings to the ceilings
The furniture lies in decay
Broken in half
Splinters sticking out
Scratching everything it touches

They’re told to rebuild
To retrain
To rethink
And they refuse
Not because they don’t see the destruction
But because it’s most comfortable

When I met my shadow
And I was afraid
I shook their hand
Felt the scraping of their claws
Along my palm

I shivered
Meeting their knowing gaze
With red eyes
And a twisted grin
Shoulders back
Chest puffed out

I slumped forward
Unable to contain the shadow
Unable to withstand its weight on my shoulders
Unable to fend off the
Putrid, foul odor
Of rotten eggs
And gasoline

Their laughter
Was like gurgling cries
Baby’s screams
Shrieks

And they laughed
And laughed
Doubling over
Bending themself in half
Slapping at the their kneecaps
Protruding slightly farther than mine

My shadow was grotesque
Oozing with fear
Dripping with pride
Clothed in insecurity
Adorned with greed
And gluttony
Like jewelry

When I met my shadow
I shook their hand
Their power overtook me
Snapping my wrist
Aggravating the injury
That was there before

I yanked
I pulled
I screamed
I fought
But my shadow wouldn’t let me go

I bargained
I promised
I begged
I pleaded

But they told me
From the depths of their guts
Rolling deep through the air
And into my ears

They wanted nothing

Except

To be a part of me

I halted all movement
Looking the shadow in the
Darkness of their eyes
Encircled by the shimmer
Of bright light

My jaw slackened
My breaths slowed
And my find seemed to understand
All at once

Gulping down the discomfort
Swirling in my throat
I nodded

I closed my eyes

Smoke
Sweet and wild
Billows around my cheeks
Stinging my eyes

Rapid blinks
Easing the burn
A remedy

They say milk
They say water
I say it doesn’t matter
I just want it out

Mixes with tears
Pouring down my
Bitter cheeks
Falling into
The valleys
Of my mask

It wasn’t enough
This wasn’t enough
What will be enough
When will
Enough be
Enough?