Again by Clio Marcus (16, New Jersey)

Back here again.
Another day has gone by and 
I didn’t even realize.
The water relaxes me, 
The steam like a blanket of comfort.
Yet soon enough the panic sets in
            And I’m on the shower floor,
                        Silently sobbing and gasping for air,
Until I can regain myself 
And contain it once again.

---

Now I’m in bed.
Relief rushes through me.
Am I tired enough?
Of course.
But I flood my brain with shallow videos
Paraded through a tiny screen, 
To feed my craving for distraction,
            And I can fall asleep at last.
 
My alarm rings.
It’s been the same sound for years.
Sickening by now, but I can’t bring myself to change it.
I shut my eyes.
Another five minutes of sleep,
            Please.
 
The day is a blur.
Just like the day before,
             And the day before that,
                      And the day before that, 
                                  And— 
 
Finally I’m back in bed,
And I drift asleep.
My head filled with wispy fantasies
In hopes that one will rouse 
A blissful dream.
 

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