ATTENTION.

THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.

YOU WERE CANCELLED

ARE CANCELLED

BECAUSE I NEED ATTENTION—

THE KIND YOU CANNOT GIVE ME,

NOT WITH THE LIFE YOU LIVE.

AND I AM NOT IN THE MOOD TO WAIT

(i'm done sitting on the roadside for our taxi.

mine passes me every time.)

SO I STEP AWAY, WITH GRACE AND ELEGANCE

(WITH A TWIRL AND A SMILE THAT SPARKLES)

AND PROCEED TO HEAL:

NOT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, BUT WHAT I HAVE DONE

(no one ever talks about how we hurt ourselves.

i have self-destructed since i was young.

how do i unlearn annihilation?)

I CRY ON THE WEEKNIGHTS BUT IM CLEANSING MY SKIN

FAR TOO MUCH DIRT HAS CREPT IN

IM DRINKING CHAMOMILE TEA & HONEY

IM SLEEPING ON TIME AND IM EATING RIGHT

I DRINK WATER LIKE ITS LIQUOR

(like it's you—)

AND THEN YOU COME AROUND AND LICK YOUR LIPS AND SAY MY NAME?

YOU ASK ME HOW IM DOING;

YOU CARE?

(i don't know what to think. to feel.

you know more than i do;

whisper to me as i fall asleep?)

AND I'LL SIT IN BED AND STARE AT AN EMPTY SCREEN UNTIL YOU FIND ME.

I WILL NOT ERASE THE RED STROKE THROUGH YOUR NAME

UNTIL MY SKIN GLOWS PINK 
WITH YOUR LIPS AGAINST IT.

(find me where you find me.

i won't be waiting.)

THIS HAS BEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

(EVEN YOU, YOU BROWN-EYED MOTHERFUCKER.)