can we just pretend
that cancer season is over
and we are all careless
because the laughter
of friends
is so rewarding
compared to the
somber melodies
I hum at night

can we just pretend
that all we need is
each other
to pass these dark days
and carry the
drunk
I don't give a ****
attitude
like at the peak of caughlin ranch
last night

I'm not a good liar
nor good at pretending
but how do we see
we have beauty like the sea
and the smell of flowers in spring
yet fail to realize
all of these things
to the inner
real
self critic

why

a.s.