Poppy

By Galaxy Rodriguez

 

As the world keeps circling 

I can’t help but want it to 

              halt. 

 

The birds chirp and the poppy flowers bloom

while I sit and watch. 

My nails grow and my hair flows 

and it all just won’t 

              stop. 

 

So, I close my eyes.

The world is loud 

and I make it quiet. 

 

Like walking on a cloud 

my mind glides while the world revolves. 

Faces with names only I know in a creation

all my own. 

 

In this place I am serene. 

In this place the world is 

paused. 

 

The screech of the birds

and the wilting flowers are out of sight and out of mind. 

The pain from my split nail is dulled 

and my hair is weightless and free.

 

My eyes open 

to see familiar faces

telling dear stories. 

It all comes together here 

in perfect harmony. 

 

All until it doesn’t.

Until time starts to wind 

again.

 

Till the bird’s song turns to chatter.

Flowers turn to papers and my finger hurts

while my hair falls heavy. 

I’m me again. 

In this rotten place.

 

In that place I am me

yet also them

while still being myself. 

 

While here I feel like I’m nobody

but everybody 

all at once.