I hope you loved your present,
I had me in mind when I got it.
It’s the thought that counts,
I hear.
I hope your birthday was grand
while you cared and served me.
You should honor me every day
of the year.
I hope you enjoyed your treats
but I’m glad you got mine first.
No celebration is complete
without a fish.
I hope you don’t expect much
since it was only one day.
The others belong to me;
get my dish.
I cooled down,
I thought about it,
and you know what?
I’m still pissed.
How easy it is
to deal blame
from your high horse
while we burn in flame.
Enough is enough
and your kingdom will fall
just like your pride, your ego,
your dumb-ass wall.
I cooled down
and then thought some more
about how to win
an idiot’s war.
Last chance,
hopeless dance,
lost romance,
fleeting glance.
Someone new,
love untrue,
sparks that grew,
holds no glue.
Just one night,
endless fight,
meager plight,
she sees the light.
Inconsiderate,
how you opened up your shop.
Have you sold your soul?
The chase left the woods
and crossed the river,
a safe haven,
a retreat,
an escape so clever.
Footsteps and hoof beats,
shouts of orders,
torches, pitchforks,
fear, loathing,
crossing borders.
Nighttime lingers
in the early dawn
as the sun peaks
slowly over the hills
to the bird’s song.
The chase was over
almost as soon as it began
but the sentiment
remains still
in those who still stand.
I’ve always been Nobody,
gratefully.
How dreary to think
I came close
just one time
to being
Somebody.
I don’t need riches
and I don’t need fame
but once it would be nice
to live without blame.
I’ll always be Nobody,
thankfully.
How hopeful you were
that I just might
turn out to be
the scapegoat
you needed.
I don’t want you
and I don’t want that life
but still the thought
of a day without strife.
I am Nobody,
hopefully.
The window
is open,
let there be air.
The birds
are singing,
the breeze in my hair.
The chipmunks
are running
from here to there.
The cat
is napping,
leave me alone.
My mind wanders all too easily these days.
Perhaps since my body cannot
my mind overcompensates
and all the trips I take
are like lost moments of mine;
I can’t even remember
if I had a good time.
And when I return
from wherever it is I’ve been
the work that is before me
is even more daunting
than when I left.
Vacations, these trips are not,
and relaxation is not a result
but one thing is for sure
the cause to blame
is being an adult.
You ask so much of me
and yet you want nothing;
this contradiction stands
always at the front
of my thoughts.
And your presence lingers
always larger than life,
always stealing the scene,
always in my way.
Have you ever thought
of a world outside your own?
Do you even know others exist
when you’re all alone?
I challenge you to break me
and you’re always ready
for the task.
Take my heart,
take my breath,
take my soul,
take your time,
since I’ve got eternity
left to burn.
I have lived this day,
this moment,
this breath
all took place
sometime before.
I can feel it
but I don’t
remember it.
You were there
and so was she
but in this other life,
you picked me.
Autumn Siders 