A background noise
A slight ringing in your ears
Just enough to be annoying
But not enough to keep your attention.

Today I decided to climb up the shelves
in the closet in your bedroom
and sit next to the box of faded polaroids
you pretend don't exist anymore.

Except I broke the shelf and the box fell
and the contents spilled all over the floor
along with your words about how I am
always making stupid decisions.

I said I'd clean it up but I got distracted
by a certain faded polaroid that I swear was me.
1989- 16 years old it read and you looked
like you've never hated anything more than that camera.

It was then I realized your contempt is not towards me
but the fact that I remind you of yourself and you
have spent your whole life trying to escape what you
felt at sixteen.

I am sorry I followed in your footsteps
but you never taught me how not to.
Throw me back up on the shelf with
the rest of your faded polaroids.