Lindsey in Lawrence

these are the nights when growing up is the most difficult
independence becomes painful.

after midnight
after streams of tears
after a day of potential sickness becoming

actualized

after the boyfriend gives up
after it's too late to call my parents
(and accidentally make them feel guilty for stressful genes)
after it's all said and

done

my one bedroom apartment becomes a solitary confinement of over-exaggeration, cliches, and
kleenex
the prison guard- myself.