a ny mo r e
Then:
Used to the smell of leather in a white truck.
Well slept.
Worried about grades but doing fine.
Used to waking up at six am all the time.
Then:
Invested in home remedies and competition.
Didn’t understand anything.
Never cared about food.
Didn’t need medication.
Then:
Could look at a bottle of wine without being upset.
Wasn’t inspired to die.
Wasn’t.
Now:
Is.
Doesn't want to admit anything.
Can’t run eight miles to save my life.
Anything but well slept.
Now:
Detached and unsure.
Quiet.
Works until there is nothing left to do.
Now:
Stares at blank pages.
Knows nothing.
Needs a new life.
E M P T Y
A son’s father brings him a glass of water
He asks the child
If the glass is half full
Or half empty
The child begins to cry
The problem upsets him
He says he does not know
His father pours the water out and says
Forget it
The child grows up
And all along, wonders
What the glass is
On his wedding, the man
Is asked by his wife
If he really loves her
The man begins to cry
The question upsets him
Why does she doubt I do
The wife slaps him
And drives off
The man grows old
And still, wonders
What the glass is
On his deathbed
His nurse comes in
And asks him if he would like some water
Before they take him off life support
He says yes, he would
The nurse returns with a glass of water
She has filled it halfway
She does not ask him
If it is half full or half empty
As he drinks the water
He realizes
That the glass isn’t
Half empty
Or half full
The glass has water in it
And water keeps you alive
So he poured the water out
Into a flower pot on the window
And said
Forget it
