i'm tired.
not sleepy.
just done.
eyes sting.
head spins.
same old rinse.
wash the plates.
scrub the pans.
hold the house
with shaking hands.
dad coughs.
doors slam.
everyone asks
if i can.
yeah.
i can.
i always can.
college drains.
work takes.
every hour
something breaks.
i fake smiles.
fake fine.
fake "yeah mate,
i'm alright."
but nights hurt.
beds call.
sleep feels
like a brick wall.
i hate sleep.
still crave it.
funny how
pain shapes shit.
i dream of rest.
small things.
quiet rooms.
silence rings.
alarm screams.
i rise.
dead feet.
half eyes.
nine months deep.
no clean break.
just more weight
for me to take.
and i'm scared
this tired stays.
sinks its teeth
and makes a place.
still —
i wake.
i wash.
i stay.
even tired,
i carry
the day.