Evokes disgust in some;

giggles in another.

The consequence of a spillt drink;

the prize of the cake.

The studs in the walls fear her;

the grass in the field waits

earnestly for the proof of

her quality.

A smooth surface she complicates for the feet;

the towel of her disposition

holds the bowl in place.

Weaponized against the barber;

life-giving for the Berber in

Gibraltar.

Her mouth-feel when spoken is

slippery and sensual;

perfect for reviving an aged conversation.

The furrowed brow of the captured spy

resents her tell;

her touch on the skin is proof of our living.

Moist, hated by the soldier in the Ardennes trench;

loved by him stationed in the Arabian days.

You know what I am angry about? People can't ever seem to see how amazing they are. Self deprecation is so common and it seems to be everywhere I look, and it makes me mad. Maybe not so much mad as just sad. These amazing humans impact me so much every day, and yet they refuse to accept the beauty I see in them.

I'm pretty forceful about this. Whenever my friends self deprecate I do my best to point out some of their amazing things that make them beautiful, but that's all I can do. I feel so helpless, useless to open their eyes to themselves.

I must tell you, though, that I am being hypocritical. I have a hard time seeing my own worth and my own reason for being alive.

I think one reason I care so much about other people finding their worth is because I cant find mine, and I find some purpose in helping them see theirs. This also makes me mad, as I feel my motives for loving people are selfish.

yeah.

Guys, Please love yourself. I dont know whatever you have in your brain that keeps you from doing it, but I know this. You deserve love. You deserve to feel good about who you are. You have made mistakes, but so has everyone else. Mistakes make you human. They teach you, and they make you beautiful.

Maybe you feel useless and like no one notices you, but let me tell you. I believe it is impossible to go through this life without making a difference in someone's life. You know that one person who borrowed a pencil from you three weeks ago? They probably feel so greatful that they found someone to give them one. It's NERVEWRACKING to look for pencils! You know that guy who you smiled at in the hallway a month ago? Maybe he was having an awful day and he needed that smile. You know that persuasive essay you wrote? It was so impactful that your teacher spent all night thinking about it.

You are seen. Someone loves you. Many people love you. You are worth it. You are Valid. Your problems are valid, and you shouldnt feel ashamed for having them. If you ever need to rant about anything, feel free to ping me and I will listen. Talking feels good.

You deserve love, just as much as anyone. You are beautiful, and you are human.

Please, try. Try to love yourself.

I'll be trying right with you.

You would have thought the paper mill was mean to us

until we met the other of the underworld

first debarked from our roots

shredded to chips

then acid abused

churned in bleach

to soften our bits

rolled to sheets

sheets in rolls

all packaged for you

we were not told

We carry the marks

the scars of pulping

like drawings on cave walls

crafted with crude tools

you could feel the illustrations

connect to the story

When you grab us

on that roll

(The heavens singing in high note)

and pull like a tight rope

our story is not what been told

(The heavens switch to low note)

Flush!

Not looking back

to admire our roughness

connect to the harshness of the bleach

burning acid

grinders with big teeth

Not looking back to our roots

The forest that once was

but now its gone

You come back again

the other of the underworld

to use us to wipe

those unpleasant spots

Flush!

“They only want us when they need us,” A chubby roll of Andrex huffed. “Look at them, grabbing at us, expecting us to always be there to wipe up their mess. Why don’t they wipe their own bottoms !”

The attractively-wrapped Angel Soft was fed up with his constant moaning, she had heard it all before.

“Andy, that’s what we’re here for. We are a staple product. Always here when needed. Can you imagine what they’d do without us?”

“That’s my point Angie ! ” The padded Andrex continued. “We’re valuable ! Yet we’re stocked right at the back of store. Never any special treatment, always cheap and available. But when there’s a crisis, a disaster, what do they want to stock up on huh? They come running to us.”

A young four-pack Nouvelle tissue wanted to join in and air her unsolicited opinions. Eager and brash ,she had a tendency to speak before thinking.

“I read somewhere there’s a psychology to it. They panic buy to manage their emotional state. Apparently they’re subconsciously taking back control in a world where they feel out of control.” Nouvelle stated.

“Popycock!” Andrex snapped back. “It’s just greed. Selfish greed. It’s the “me, me” world where all they think about is their own backside. We should go on strike. ”

Angel Soft laughed ” Strike? We’re toilet paper Andrex what do you propose we do?”

″ Just don’t show up. There will be a shortage and then what? It’ll make them think at least...make them show some appreciation.”

“That happened in Venezuela,” Nouvelle interjected. ” I’ve got Carrefour friends out there, it was chaos.”

“You see, ” Andrex continued ” They won’t know what they’ve got until we’re gone.”

Angel Soft contemplated the situation for a moment. She had heard things about this virus, she’d seen the look of fear in the shoppers’ eyes as they grabbed several packs at a time, she’d witnessed the panicked tussles in aisles. Then she thought of that little old lady who just managed to get the last roll on the shelf yesterday, shopping by herself, her small cart full of her basic necessities. She remembered the look of relief on the old lady’s face as she reached for last store-brand toilet roll and Angel Soft knew she’d always show up. She’d be there whether people appreciated her or not. She was a staple after all, a reliable, a trustworthy product in a world of uncertainty. She would wipe up their messes and their backsides , because they needed her.

She mentally rejected Andrex’s plan and straightened her pack. She was proud to be toilet paper and she would do exactly what was said on her packaging: deliver softness and strength at a price that won’t break the bank !

At last, the darkness dissipates

as sun o'er yonder mountain breaks

and, timidly, the world awakes

as freedom beakons in plague's wake.

Too soon the sunlight parts the drapes

as the harsh, cruel hands of fate dictate

and nighttime's bliss is thus erased

as moon beams fade out, chased away.

Toward dawning warmth I tilt my face

as lonely pupils, shrinking, ache

and lo! my neighbors congregate

as once again the world awaits.

From under blankets my hand snakes

as cold seeps in, I reach for lace

and find you gone without a trace

as my heart stutters, then deflates.

I step outside, my great escape,

as songbirds trill with faith and grace

and chiseled stresses thus deflate

as dewy springtime winds hydrate.

I spring up, fearful, start to shake

as quiet drowns me in its lake

and 'round the furniture I race

as loneliness shoots through my veins.

Fresh earthen scents swirl, then abate

as fragile em'rald grasses quake

and footsteps mar this reclaimed space

as I emerge with heedless haste.

Stale notes of coffee I now chase

as if the past few weeks were fake

and never did we share a steak

as shadows grew and music played.

'Neath cornflow'r skies, a friend's embrace

as clouds, unnoticed, change their shapes

and we make plans to loose the brake

as commerce doth renew its pace.

Soft howling, broken, pawing gates

as I resume my default state

and wonder why I've been replaced

/again/ by work and dinner dates.