LONERISMS

by Jawad Talut

Don’t make eye contact and avoid them.

Alone now, your true self. Your stomach in a knot

Not the character you pretend to be

In front of friends and family.

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A lone fish, drowning in the ocean.

You want them to say something.

You need the attention, even if it’s negative.

Say the wrong thing

Just so someone will look.

Less alone than you really are.

Lost for words again; Untie the thoughts that are in knots.

Always not knowing what to think,

Much less what to speak. By yourself, as you should be.

Alien to others, and me.