✺
no one else is home but Mother
She works downstairs below
working
working
working
she cannot be interrupted

sitting cross-legged on the patterned rug
I stare at the television with wide eyes
until the screen goes black

the static rainbows do not hypnotize me
no, it is not the waves of blue light
time runs away from my childhood as I stare in awe
as I play with the laughing people
the laughing, singing, dancing people
they talk to me
they play with me
they love me
until the screen goes black

a rush of panic takes over my body
I am pixelated static
grey fuzz
where have my friends gone?
the show is over
I am reminded that I am alone