aromatic tree bark on the concrete
asphalt and rubber snarls beneath
twinkly lights strung on a tree
three men sitting at a table
a woman shakes off a rug
metal monsters stay in their lanes
perfectly timed lights with computer precision
a place for everything, everything in place

maybe we’re all pretending
pretending to be normal
just pretending all the time
and some of us are better
better at this pretending
and the ones that aren’t
they stay outside the door
but they talk to each other
some of us lock up in the bathroom
some of us guard the punch bowl
some of us laugh loudly to cover up
some of us close our eyes and dance
some of us chat quietly in clusters
some of us run in and out of the door
some of us stay outside shivering
some of us don’t come to the party
some of us hover through touching
some of us yell at the top of our lungs
all to hide that we feel different
but there is sameness in the hiding
and while we pretend, we don’t notice
we don’t notice how lovely we are

sparkling stars send shivers
up my neck
pastel nebula gas makes it
hard to breathe

a beautiful day
we talked
we drove
we explored
we laughed
we ate
we admired
we said, “goodbye”
we said, “see you later”

lie sideways
think and think
watch shadows
pretend not to miss
replay the song
enjoy the fan
think and think
wonder about space
imagine seaweed
pet the cat
sit up abruptly
think and think
lie back down

I panic and overreact
over the small things
so when something big
throws everything into chaos
I remain collected and calm

sing it, little bird
expel all the air
make sure all hear
little bird, you’re perfect