It Was Nice While It Lasted

It was nice while it lasted,

short and fleeting like most things.

Like most things do,

it

ran from me in a flash.

My joy was gone

on the count of two.

It was nice while it lasted though —

to be excited,

something in my power went well.

I lit up,

my heart felt relief.

I looked at my phone

and my face fell.

That fast,

as if I’m not allowed.

It doesn’t want me to have it.

Remember that one story:

melancholy is the turtle,

optimism the rabbit.

I want to be the hopper thinking,

finally — my moment of reprieve.

I smile to celebrate,

but that turtle was never far away.

In fact,

I know it’s in front of me.

I expect disappointment now.

Y’all trained me.

Experience hasn’t been so kind.

So jubilation is just my preference,

but you couldn’t tell.

Next I assume I’ll be condemned

for being fake.

But the truth isn’t handled too well.

If it’s truth you want,

you’ll have to deal with

deep and heavy —

a language too foreign, too new.

Look, I know you can’t swim,

so it’s safe in the boat.

My emotions are the ocean,

my depths unknown to you.

You’d have to inquire beyond the surface

to understand I’m chasing jolly.

It’s not in a bottle or the sheets.

Hard lessons were my folly.

I run fast for the thrill —

if I walk,

I’ll think I’m falling.

There’s a ringing.

Hello?

Oh… it’s just the turtle calling.