Here Before

I’ve been here before

inside these loops,

the tightening walls

of these thoughts so familiarly

textured,

rippling

further away

by the second.

I’ve been here before

stuck in the past,

re-gathering my feelings like

tiny shards of glass,

trying to stand

upon weakened legs

and go again.

You were here before,

when the light of day fled

in anticipation of pains unknown.

You tried to complete the puzzle,

became frustrated,

then I watched you go.

I’ve been here before,

stuck in this queue,

thoughts and feelings

hectic and confused,

the sky red,

the healing baby blue.

It’s a pass on the plaster,

these scars cannot be seen,

cannot be covered or corrected,

must be coveted,

and felt.

I’ve been here before,

tried running but the surroundings

moved too,

nothing to gain but holes in

my shoes

and the heels of my socks

and bloodied feet.

I’ve been here before,

the cycle fierce and unrelenting,

stuck like a fly beneath a glass,

stuck like a fly beneath a glass,

stuck like a fly beneath glass.

I think I’ve been here

before.