8am:
Brush teeth with disposable brush
And toothpaste in a tube to be thrown away
Cake on makeup from compacts you’ll leave
Drive car to work
The landfill grows
Routine, easy, normal
Too busy in the cycle
To remember we’re next

11:45am:
Drive car to restaurant
Unwrap burger from plastic
Drink from one time use cup
With a plastic lid and straw
Dump tray and go
The ocean fills
Routine, easy, normal
Too busy in the cycle
To remember we’re next

3:00pm:
Drive car from work
To movie theatre with friends
Popcorn from cardboard box
Ticket printed on paper slips to be lost
Put on glasses and go
Routine, easy, normal
Too busy in the cycle
To remember we’re next

6:00pm:
Stomach growls, dinner at home
Frozen peas from plastic bag
Ham from the same
Lettuce shipped in crates
Bread kept fresh by shiny wrap
Sandwich and eat
Routine, easy, normal
Too busy in the cycle
To remember we’re next

1am:
People sleep in cluttered houses
Trash is hauled away
Polar bears swim for shelter
Garbage Patch beings to sink
The problem isn’t all that big, they think
There's only a few with the sense to holler:
We’re okay, for now
Still on top
Remember, though
It seems routine, easy, normal
And we forget that we’re next-
-by the time we remember
It will already be too late
We failed the ultimate test.

upon laying eyes on him
she knew-
he'd be the next to break her in two
why not? she wondered
he appears to be full of class
i could have fun with this one
it won't have to last
i won't get attached
upon laying eyes on her
he knew-
she'd not let go
no matter what bad things
he'd do
because no matter hard she tried
he was the greatest heartbreak
that the poor girl ever knew.

He may not be near me
but I see him everyday:
stars in the night sky
grandpa's fidgety hands
quiet sun rays
It's been days since we spoke
but I hear him everyday:
rustling wind of crunchy leaves
our song on the radio
patters of excited child's feet
His hug has become a memory
but I feel him everyday:
refreshingly dark rainstorms
his smell, a scent worn by too few others
weak tea that kisses me awake in the morning-
   we both know
it should be him

I want to be a part of something
make a change
do my best

I want to be a part of something
now I'm alone
test and paper in hand
applying for student loans

I want to be a part of something
put my talents to the test
to help all the rest

I want to be a part of something
bigger than myself
for now I'm so small
my abilities fit on a shelf

I want to be a part of something
in the real world
Good, Better, Best

everyone is so sad
here

everyone doesn't want to be
here

people don't respect people
here

we'll all move on, and forget
here

that is, only, if we make it out of
here

It's a very good
feeling when he
looks at you
in that way
that he does:
Like you are
the sun, moon,
and all the stars
Like you are
so radiantly beautiful
and incredibly strong
Like you are
so witty and
so smart and
can do anything
you put your
mind to

It's the best
feeling when you
look in the mirror
in that way
that you do:
and think the
same things
about
youself

freshly cut grass
laundry detergent
dandelions
yellow crayons
mac n cheese
autumn leaves
sidewalk chalk
monarch butterflies
bubbles
pigtails
mom's perfume
cozy socks
booster seat

:The Neighborhood