1. Check to see if you replied even though I know you didn’t.
2. Repeat # 1.
3. Look in the mirror
4. Curse the tired eyes in it, always waiting.
5. Smear lip gloss on chapped lips.
6. Perfume. In case.
7. Maybe I should change? Also in case.
8. No I shouldn’t change.
9. Brush teeth. Ten times. Until my gums bleed.
10. Am I stupid for thinking you’ll ever reply.
11. Put on sweatpants. It’s getting late.
12. Repeat # 1. More than once.
13. Why do I do this to myself.
14. No, why do I let you do this to me.
15. Shove my phone somewhere I can’t reach.
16. Wake up with black streaks on my cheek.
17. Don’t cry. Again.
18. Cry anyway.
19. Who am I kidding?
20. I can’t do this anymore.
21. Do it anyway.
For Poppy’s challenge. Thank you for the inspiration.
About the Creator
Sara
Don’t look for love.
Be love.
My To Be Read List
I have been taking some time away from writing. I haven't forgotten about Vocal, the truth is I just have been too busy pursuing other things to write online and honestly, my little family and I just had a really hard month between the flu and a weird eye infection/cold circulating our house. I'm currently sipping some warm peppermint tea because my throat is sore.
By Chloe Rose Violet 🌹7 days ago in BookClub
Comments (8)
Oh my. That is heartbreaking. Beautifully done.
So many of us have been there, done that so many arrive at the conclusion so late. But better late than never, Well said.
Very sad, but cleverly done 1.2.3. Challenge… repeating #1.
I had to check out this challenge for myself! This is such a creative take on it. I don’t relate to it, but I love reading things I don’t relate to. This has broadened my perspective. The cognitive dissonance between ‘I can’t do this anymore’ and ‘Do it anyway’ says it all. It’s an addiction. Now I understand. We all have nasty habits, and the narrator of this poem has a habit of seeking attention from those who won’t give it. If this is autobiographical, the raw honesty of it is rare and spectacular. If this was written from observing someone you love go through this, I hope they see it with the clarity you do one day.
This is sooo relatable. I can remember a specific time in my life when I was checking for their message so much I'd dream about it and then wake up not knowing if it happened or not. I love the way you use simple sentences to say so much and include so much emotion. 'Brush teeth. Ten times. Until my gums bleed.' Was an especially visceral line. Also, did you share this in my comments? It says in my notifications that you did but I can't see it in my actual comments. Could be a problem on my end though because something similar happened to me the other day. Anyway, thank you so much for entering. This is a great poem Sara!
I feel attacked, lol! I'm soooo guilty of doing this!
So, so many times! Loved the stark relateability of this one 🤍
Been there. Love the way you wrote it