Reader Submission
My writing has nowhere to go now
everyone thinks it’s theirs to take
making complete thoughts these days
is overrated anyway
I search my mind for us – it’s all a maze
It’s likely deserved as they all say
in every memory – every photograph
the colors we painted running like rain
I am unsure how to swim just now
there is nowhere left to house this pain
This loss strikes me with each breath
ripping my insides – tearing apart each piece
the sacrifice that has no exit from inside
stealing both joy and promise at once
tossing dreams in the water-logged tide
This grief is weird and ever-changing
anchored by weights unseen
a knife felt in the heart – it’s broken
maybe if I knew how to forgive myself
there could be more solace spoken
Two roads diverged in a wood
paths are meant to be traveled
there are times I wish I could trade out
tap the next person – come finish please
I’d rather exit this endless route
But every turn is the same
although they look completely different
there is no escaping the end
everything I worked so hard for is gone
will I ever be my own friend?
No one left the scene unharmed
yet the stretcher only came for you
friends running to the scene
I watched the cars pile up and crash
neither of our hands were ever clean
When a ship is sinking in the sea
where do you triage first?
we are all going down – talking isn’t it
why didn’t anyone bother to reach out
and check on all of this shit?
Focus on today – yesterday has passed
the stinging nettles sing in tongues
it takes all the strength I have to revive
the breath held in my lungs – mouth closed
hoping all of us survive.
Sarah Toce
