that’s what I call us
as the light filters through blinds
turned down

our eyelids
heavy
not from sleep
but from the weight
of seeing (un)clearly

after a while
my eyes refuse to work
it’s easier this way

you see

to fulfill the scripts
and silence the squawking
at my ribs

then, to feel (xxxxxxxxxxxxxx)

I know I should be
doing something
doing better
now

but where do I start?
and the stories
they’re irresistible

keep me wrapped up
like a figurine
not for display
just for keeping
keeping insulated

I remember saying to her
I don’t know how we didn’t see it until then
until now (?)

I think the truth
a truth:

we didn’t want to see it
see that others did

(l)and

in the meanwhile
soil eroded

buried waste
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx seeped
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx into water

and the birds chirped

effortfully

and the ducks sat

until the shot rang out
and I got up off of the couch
and turned the broadcast off

and for the first time in a while
I tilt open the blinds