NEPHART.COM

I say I’ll come.

Then I say I won’t.

But one thing is true:

my pockets are full of things I never meant to carry.

The words I hear feel heavy.

Lunch today is nothing.

Someone is ready to fight.

Fine. Let them.

People talk and talk

and keep saying they’re fine,

but everything around them feels off.

So let it out.

Tell me,

what’s hurting you today?

Close your eyes tight

and maybe everything softens for a moment.

Suddenly I’m in a desert,

dry, silent, endless.

Where do you even go

to look for water here?

Come on, climb the camel.

You think you’re cool now.

But it’s burning hot.

You say you need coolness.

I say you need ice cream.

I try to shout it,

but the heat steals my voice.

Here

your foundation cream.

Funny how you slipped on your own dream

while trying to look steady.

A small light flickers far away,

like something trying to reach me

but losing strength.

The lights fade

dim… dim… dim…

as if they’re tired of shining for everyone else.

So I brush it aside,

quiet and certain,

the same way you finally let go

of something that never once held you in return.

Don’t call.

That’s the end.

I’m done for today.