I wish I lacked empathy.
I don’t want to feel.
I don’t want to see signs.
I don’t want to be real.

One minute, I’m fine—
then my soul explodes in my chest.
I wish I didn’t see that.
But I did. And now, no rest.

I wish I could shrug,
say “that’s not my concern,”
but every flicker of pain
Causes my stomach to hurt.

I notice the silence,
the shift in your tone—
there's nothing in your voice
It's all I think about alone.

This is why I'm standoffish and stick to just me
There's no ache in loneliness
At least not the kind that stings

Maybe I'll make friends but that feels like betrayal
These self imposed rules- a safe fortress failure

I wish I didn’t feel
At least not to this extent
My day was going so good
But I ruined it again

A peaceful harmony filled their steps
Glowing within
Together they spin
Around and around
Like flowers in the wind

I smell rain and wet pavement
and sun
As I dance and I float
and I run
I hear laughter and cries
and song
As the sky’s colors bleed
into dawn
I watch as purples and pinks
fade away
As calm blue settles
over the day
I feel fresh air and dirt
underneath
As the spring I’ve so missed
breaks through the trees
I taste sweet berries and love
on my tongue
As freedom and bliss burn through me
like ***

We talk about the
past like it's a
movie we
watched together.
You liked the
cinematography.
I didn't care for the
cruelty of the
protagonist.

We disagree on the
theme, and every
scene holds different
aspects of
symbolism for us.
I'm not sure I want
there to be a sequel,
despite the good
acting.

Reminded Of My Place

     Well I took a vacation
It was good for this heart of mine
Came home did some work on the place
I was proud and on cloud nine

I hadn’t felt like this in a long while
Let it be my true confession
Hadn’t felt much like entertaining
I was in a state of depression

My daughter and Son in Law gave me
Their gently used Blackstone grill
It gave me some new inspiration
Changed my view and my will

I swept the Deck gonna have it
Professionally washed as well
Things were looking pretty good
Raised my spirits you could tell

So I washed and cleaned the old chairs
Even swept and gave the carpet a shampoo
I was on a roll and we went to buy a
Patio set a table and chairs brand new

Got a new umbrella and I was excited
Got some utensils for the grill so great
Told friends and family invitations
Are going to be sent and I can’t wait

Today was my first day back to work
I had my reality I needed to face
And as sure as this good heart still beats
I was quickly Reminded Of My Place

Written By:Charles Kean
06/10/2025
There’s nothing like getting brought
Back down to Earth.
God Bless!!!