Mozzarella Sticks

Free-form
I could phase through these walls if I willed it
And go to exist in brand new space

Free hands
I can finally grab the edge of the windowsill
To hoist myself up and burst through the frame

But when I land the map will look faint and muddied
Tongue-tied and landlocked I won't know which
Direction I should start running

So I will walk without scraped knees
Back down the hill as I savor the breeze
Because where there's calm there must be storm
And I'm addicted to this prophetic warm

Still absorbed

(Pretend:)
I can be dismantled at every joint
And be rebuilt to fit in cleaner lines

(Perform:)
Acts of bravado and resilience
On an open stage under bitter lights

But I'm not prepared to face that valley of blinking
Head hung and eyes closed I'm made to wonder
"What hell am I thinking?"

So I will wait in the parking lot
Passenger side as I shiver and cough
And flood my mouth with slimy gunk
And vile projections of what it's like to be young

Because I am young for just this once
And I am haunted by my unpilfered blood
But with pin-pricks I will slowly drain
And I will welcome the impending rain

And I'll stay
And wade
In a pool
Of "anyway"