**Shrine

4/22

The people around me are finding a way

why are you here

to enjoy this beat,

you know you never delight in these things

this electronic pulse sped up and threatening

They hardly ever play songs you like

to send them into a dance frenzy.

You should be in bed right now

In the midst of it all, me, a statue

Could easily be continuing your Friends marathon

unmovable,

If only Chandler and Ross were here

lips set firmly together as if incapable

You probably look super mean right now

of ever opening or turning upwards.

Good, maybe these men will stay away

The stench of alcoholic drinks I never learned

There’s always one who doesn’t get the memo

about and drugs I don’t wish to know the names of

No, you don’t want to dance with him

meet and hug in the embrace of friends who

No, you don’t need a drink

had only just now been reunited after

No, there’s nothing wrong

years spent in battle.

No, this man is not keeping a steel grip around your waist

The pain in the balls of my feet promise

No, you really don’t need a drink

to cause my collapse at any moment now.

No, you’d rather not keep smelling his breath

The ache in my head moves with it all,

No, you don’t have any business here

gyrating and swinging, thoroughly

No no no

enjoying this beat.

 

 

**This can either be read as two separate poems (Roman first, then italics) or with the italics interjected into the Roman. Which do you prefer?