Rain sliding down night-darkened windows
makes more noise; without any warning
the edges of thoughts fade, become
tainted by shadows.
Bleach only removes stains from laundry
and white porcelain, neither of which
is as porous as mind, as susceptible
to ground in dirt.
Arguments almost drown it out; distraction
that ends poorly, ineffectively, guiltily
setting the stain deeper in the fabric
of relationship.
Fluorescent lighting and white-floored
boutiques, salespeople selling smiles
to shoppers, the price of freedom
from isolation and anonymity.
Speeding, cars and drugs; the rushing
adrenaline briefly alters the oncoming
night; inevitably it arrives, the vehicle
doesn’t matter.
The lungs finally demand their due;
soldiers marking time long enough now,
move in, bring order and pace to breath.
Exhale that shit out. Make it out loud.
LMC