Internal Inhibition

You often pondered, behind your plastic door and pretentious smile, could I be her friend? The pressure of being needed could hijack your life, your perfection, your impassive popularity. Then you saw her close her eyes tight as if she were playing dead, and noticed the tiny trenches of all her tears. Her weak smile scared you into feeling something far away and true, and when she laughed, you knew it was genuine. Her humanity left you bleeding, and you could taste the earthiness of the elements at your core. So you forgot her, but in your dreams she is more alive. She is freed by her imperfection and becomes the world you straddle. Maybe you weren’t the only one. Maybe she was lonely. If only you had more time to understand her permeable existence, she could have uncaged you, and you could have been her touchstone. If only... Contest: Pick-a-Title, Vol. 30 Sponsor: Edward Ibeh Date: 5/10/22