To Stroke the Cheshire Cat

A poem

Photo by Tim Hüfner on Unsplash

Like a toddler that doesn’t know what words to use
when they yell for recognition

Like a storm in a teacup
but like,
an actual storm in an actual teacup
what is the teacup doing outside during monsoon season anyway?

Like the alphabet running over and over
andoverandoverandover again
hoping, maybe this time
it’ll form a real word

Like the clouds parting on a really sunny day
wait — there were clouds?
how…?

Like cheap beer when you’re underaged
awkward
funny tasting
but you either down it or you drown it

Like life passing you by
one minute it’s there
the other it’s not,

Anxiety wears many suits
Depending on the interview
Laughs on cue
Nods intently
Does its best
(as perfectionists do)
And flips out when it’s not wanted
It doesn’t understand
WHY IT IS NOT WANTED
WHY