How to Feel Better
It is very cold tonight
& there is nothing you can do, Laverne
but give her $60 & drive away
having no idea where she’ll sleep
you lean over your desk
rest your forehead in your hands
a familiar feeling
that anxiety in your stomach
that knot
that hollow hunger
it’s been there before
how selfish of you, Laverne
helping
in order to
get reprieve.
8 thoughts on "How to Feel Better"
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I feel this in my people-pleasing soul. I also love how you address yourself in this piece. As always, love the honesty!
You have put into words that feeling we have of inadequacy at our core. Love the raw self-awareness!
Fantastic, Laverne. You are bringing a surgical precision to these last few pieces, locating the very nerve of these difficult stories. Bravo.
surgical precision? I like that.
When you address yourself in this poem I almost dropped my phone.
Wow !!! This has kindness and power.
Great writing. I want to go on about this ” holy selfishness ” but it might be selfish of me because basically I just want more.
Great poem.
I like that “holy selfishness.” Let’s do a workshop and talk more.
love the ending
Oh wow, that ending – helping/in order to/get reprieve