Awake now
dark, quiet, alone
with myself

With myself
I am not alone.
Yes, I am.

Yes, I am
both proud and humble
and a joke.

And a joke
only lives as long
as laughter.

As laughter
overflows the room,
I cower.

I cower,
red face, hot ear lobes
not hearing.

Not hearing
myself, God or you
Anymore

Anymore
it’s getting harder
to pretend.

To pretend
put on collar
one more time.

One more time
the alarm sounds, I’m
Awake now.