National Poetry Writing Month 2020, Day 22

Off-prompt again today.

1
I’ve almost discarded the mask
I’m not quite done
but further along since the last time you asked

And I’m done speaking in tongues
now that there’s no one to tangle with

I won’t call it a day
but it is almost time for bed

2
Hope never dies
according to the many titles
that line my bookshelves

There are many ways
to resist, to surrender
to start all over again

By this time, I think
I’ve mastered twenty-six percent of them

3
I wonder why there isn’t a book
I’ve been hearing stories

Living the truth’s a lot harder
without the benefit of exposition

Stories are always better
when they’re about somebody else

(22 April 2020)

Wishes sometimes have consequences—available to order from your favorite local bookstore!

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Ordinary Average Thoughts