Juniper Pearl

We’re all hiding in the closet to keep away from the boogie-man. Slamming doors and screaming at the top of Its lungs at no one in particular. “Eat your fucking spaghetti.” Not caring that It dropped it in the floor 5 minutes ago because she was talking. Taking up space that could be occupied by other things. Taking up space that could be occupied by nothing at all. Just as long as it wasn’t her.

We’re all hiding in the closet to keep away from her. Slamming doors and screaming at the top of her lung at no one in particular. “I’ll get you more spaghetti.” Not caring that the boogie-man dropped it in the floor 5 minutes ago. Just trying to keep the peace. Peace without a belt. Peace in the closet. Peace behind the bed. Peace in the corner. Peace in hell.

The world’s going to hell and we’re all hiding in the closet.

Slow down and take a breath.
Hot summer wind in your skin,
no respite.
Take me away.

Spending the past two weeks absolutely pissed off. At the world, at everyone else…nothing is safe and you can all go to hell. I don’t understand why you won’t stop being stupid. Royal you, royal we, we’re all stupid and getting on my nerves. I’m sorry you won’t get off your ass and help out. Sweet lazy babies, you’re not special. What is the matter with people? Self-absorbed…always so damn sure of what they’re not going to do. Honey child no.

Something’s gotta give because I’m this-close to quitting. Quitting everything and running off to a cabin in the woods. Nothing but the trees and the birds and me. And not you. You’re annoying. I love you.

Surrounded by horrible people. Unapologetic people. Nasty people. Mean people. Horribly, unapologetically, nasty, mean-ass people; and most of the time they’re the same person. How do you live with yourself? Day in and day out, hating the world, playing the victim…poor, poor you.

I think it’s time to sleep, but I’m too tired.

It’s becoming harder and harder to be nice to people I don’t like. You get on my very last, frayed nerve and I have to sit here and act like I enjoy you being in my presence. Every sentence someone utters does not require any commentary on your part. Are you always this annoying, or just when you’re here?

Please, Lord, tiny baby child, just shut your mouth. Speak only when necessary, because no one cares what you have to say. Not him, not her, certainly not I. You’ve been here for five minutes, you don’t know the game and shouldn’t participate. You don’t know the players and you don’t know the rules.

Hush, now. Shh.

That time of year came and passed again.
Empty well-wishes…
You lot don’t care.
You just want to look good in front of everyone else.

Can you be naturally dour? Naturally unhappy? Can’t remember a single time in life where you’ve ever been happy. Not even as a child — I’m pretty sure that’s just depressing. Children are supposed to be happy and carefree. Happy-go-lucky little bastards without a care in the world. Eating mud-pies and drinking hose water. Playing under street lights and scratching mosquito bites until they bleed. Unless you grow up with gigantic fuck-ups for parents and then, well, I guess you have my childhood. The party is always more important.

“Our friends entertained you. You never lacked when we went to other people’s houses,” you say as if you weren’t in the other room – behind a closed door – snorting the kitchen sink, the bed sheets, and doing God know what else. Ignoring small children being entertained by grown-ass people. Oh, sugar, please shut your numb mouth.

But, then everyone grows up and tries not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Usually… Everyone tries and tries not to be their parents, only to fall headlong into repeated behaviors and disastrous situations. Love for the wrong reasons and trouble for the right. Narcissistic, bitter, living in the past. “I miss the old days.” But do you really?

You can make changes. You don’t have to spend your life wondering if you’ll end up alone at the end, surrounded by nothing but bitter “memories” and no loved ones because you pushed them all away. No one inviting you anywhere… only perhaps an invitation to go to Hell.

But, we’re all making changes because God forbid we end up like you.