The Tradeoff

I was perfectly happy,

a singular chime

I was perfectly happy,

alone in my mind

I was perfectly happy,

my world underscored

I was perfectly happy,

my feelings secure

I was perfectly happy,

adrift in my world

I was perfectly happy,

no feeling’s unfurled

I was perfectly happy,

till one fateful day

Now misery haunts me

—in love I must stay

(West Philadelphia: June, 2018)