Normal Is For The Weak

Waking up to sunlight warming my cheeks Streaming in through white shutters Stumbling into the kitchen Cookies for breakfast And a cold shower For dessert. I start my chemistry homework Not due for another week The history homework is due tomorrow But I do the chemistry, of course. Slip on a blue dress From the closet Even though I’ll only be at home today. No make-up Resting my head on her woolly blanket Tiredness seeping into my bones Like a sponge soaking up water From staying up with him All night My favorite reason to lose sleep. A mishmash of songs plays From the stereo I tap my feet And the keys on my computer. Holding the baby guinea pig He helps me concentrate Oh, it’s already 3 I grab torn, worn cleats And rush out the door Into the silver car waiting, like a mirage In the driveway. Running Ribs exploding I never stop Until the ref calls a yellow card Then, I laugh. A man in a suit And a tie with Shakespeare on it Picks me up Starbucks run Hide the cups so Mom won’t see I skip dinner, And run down the hall My legs suddenly finding strength To talk to him. Brushing my hair idly Spiderman socks on my feet Because my chipped toenails Are ugly. Put some presents under the tree And try to guess what’s in My stocking Phone rings Have to babysit on Saturday And don’t forget to do the laundry Go to bed, honey, it’s past 10 Climb up the ladder No pajamas, I sleep in my clothes They’re reminders Of my day. Snuggling under my comforter The only light in the room Is from the screen I gaze at His words flickering across it Lighting up the ceiling And making me smile In the dark. Falling asleep Because I don’t want to say goodbye A glass of milk next to my bed I’m not ready For normalcy.