Grounded

Look in the mirror and feel confused

Same eyes, same hair, same height

Same bristles against my teeth as every night

Same dull, fluorescent light

But so very not the same

Put on the songs I sang in junior high

Because they were actually alright

And I couldn’t sleep if I tried

Please tell me I came from somewhere

Close my eyes, head on the desk

Faces and places all in a mess

Lovely as they flicker afresh

Think about blessings lost on you

About friends forsaken

Every single scene was slated

Misery designed, created

And the time you wasted

On self-love and hatred

Shut that door quickly.

One brother’s wearing ties

Another’s fighting fires in his mind

And mom knows they’re turning out fine

Not just the boys, of course

The youngest is finding her way

Working in the fields these days

Sketching what she wants to say

And today I saw my father’s face

Cards were unimportant to express

His family’s thankfulness
Reminding me I’m not rootless