The best thing
that I can do
for anyone
is shrivel-
make myself
as small as possible.
And then make myself
smaller.
Everything I can
think to say
has already been
thought of.
Nobody wants
to hear what I say
even if I could
get the words out.
Every second
spent on me
is a waste of time
and energy
but that's just life,
that's how it is.
That's how everybody
lives.
What people do
is they keep to
themselves,
they let fate
take the lead,
and they always
compromise.
It's not that they
let life pass them by,
it's just that they
float through it like they're
caught in the tide.
That's what people
are supposed to do.
People are supposed
to be indifferent.
To not be a burden,
to be obedient.
They're supposed to
always be on edge
to hold tension in their shoulders
cynicism in their gaze,
and ice in their hearts.
He told me that's what
people are supposed to do.
Why isn't that
what people do?
Why do they
get to thrive
while I wither away-
I wither like he
told me to do.
I know that this world
has a lot of room,
but I can't help but wonder
if I'm allowed
to be here too.
Tell me,
is that what people do?
