A poetry class assignment, constructive criticism wanted, needed and begged for.
Lost Things
I skip class
unintentionally, of course,
I need the extra dream, or rather,
I need the soft pillow
pre-soaked with summer sweat
I leave my sheets due to a persistent bladder
the extra hour does nothing good,
the floor bites my naked feet,
guilt chills my shoulders
I brush my teeth, my hair, my skin
I dig through the pile of dirty clothes
to find lost things, keys, spare change
a card to remind me of my name
I call my Mom, to check on the sick
to remind them to be cool
by raising their pinkies as high as they can
I skip breakfast
intentionally, of course,
to save on calories and time
I meet up with friends and super soakers
wet t-shirts, mud and chatter fill my day
we change into dry clothes
the best off the k mart clearance rack
artfully, creatively, and delightfully stylish
we head to the concert, sing our throats raw
until our heads burn with scratchy notes
and screechy fans
I see my admiree,
who is ignorant of such affection,
he brushes his lips against my hand
romance interrupted
my father calls me, odd,
since our conversations never occur outside of Sunday mornings
I am home, next to an empty bed
that once held a beloved Grandpa
I don't cry,
I am unsure of my intentions, of course,
but seeing Grandma alone
and Mom crying
I feel as if I never wanted wetter cheeks.