(I was supposed to put my dirties
in the laundry room, but who could remember?)
Sucki
ng down coffee, nibbling a half cup
of honey-sweetened corn flakes
for a slight rush of caffeine and carbs.
Catching a ride with Robyn or one
of my Avenue buds, coaxing myself
mostly awake with a whiff of white.
Twenty minutes on the Avenue
before the bell rang, tempering
my morning buzz with nicotine.
Stumbling into homeroom, most likely tardy,
hoping Mrs. Twedt wouldn’t notice
and reward me with detention.
Making some classes, cutting others,
deciding which would be which
by which was which the day before.
And somehow I managed to convince
myself life with the monster
was not routine.
Problem Number Two: Relationships
Old friendships, tucked away
like treasures,
relegated to tokens of yesterday.
New friendships, faulty ground
to cultivate
and build a future upon.
Old boyfriends, a very short list,
abbreviated