Shirley Jones-Luke’s most recent poem to appear here was “Food Stamps” (March 2018).
Theatrics in My Head
By Shirley Jones-Luke
I’m afraid of my own narrative, it never goes as I envisioned,
reality slaps me in the face every time, tired of the sting
My face stings, tired of the slaps, reality never goes as I envisioned,
my own narrative, every time I face it, I’m afraid
Every time I face my own narrative, I’ve never envisioned this reality,
which slaps me with such a sting, I’m afraid, I’m tired
I’m tired of the sting, I must face my reality, afraid of a slap, which
I never envisioned, but is there every time