I
the alarm clock refuses to set itself
it tells me this at 4:05 in the morning
II
I’ve started combing my hair
trying to maintain some sense of maturity
after I shaved my beard I
was reminded of my boyish look
III
the mirror decides to show
the reverse of a reflection
it shows me everything I’m not
IV
I have a dream where you’re the star
and I’m the narrator
we exist in the same world
but never interact
V
I look at my college degree like it’s an old photograph
from a time period I never lived in
I’m still seeking employment
VI
I turn 25 and unwrap gifts
looking for plans and hopes
and whether or not they’re relevant
VII
sometimes I wonder what you’re doing
who you’re with and how
much happiness you have
VIII
I disappoint myself
rejecting expectation
and ignoring opportunity
shaped in the consistency of
social resonance
populated by unpredicatable girls
who may charm you away
or prick the scabs you’re dreading to discover
IX
abandoned ditches come with welcome signs
and I can’t help but feel a little afraid
that my vision is cut in half
X
two halves of a poem
form together
feel the uneven edges out
and agree on acceptance
XI
hands unfold
and position themselves for
placement
for some tangible thing
to appear