Sometimes ignorant

Sometimes aware

You look past the things you don't want to see

You pretend those things don't matter

You convince yourself you are doing nothing wrong

But you are

You know you are

That's why you are trying so hard

To put on that mask you think protects you

If the walls had ears

They'd experience everything and nothing.

They'd hear the witty phrases,

the stormy arguments,

the cackling laughs,

the shrieks of agony,

the awkward silences

and the tears of joy.

But so what?

They can't be a part of it.

Imagine the torture

of having one single human characteristic

while never being able to act human.

Just imagine it.

Titus Andronicus, Sweeney Todd, Arya Stark:

All place human flesh in meat pies

While seeking vengeance for loved ones.

Jenna Rink, Mike O' Donnell, Josh Baskin:

All wish for their age to change

So they can find a sense of fulfillment.

Mary Jane Watson, Bella Swan, Snow White:

All irritating damsels in distress

Who hardly ever fend for themselves.

Po Ping, Elle Woods, Rocky Balboa:

All individuals underestimated in their fields

That end up coming out on top.

Constantine Bates, Mrs. Gump, Sairy Morey:

All incredibly nurturing mother figures

Who influence their main characters' personas.

Where is the originality?

Now, don't misunderstand me;

I enjoy most of these characters immensely.

And I also realize that all these characters,

While very similar at their core,

Have distinct personality traits that make them all their own.

But why do writers limit their imaginations

And stick to character tropes that we have seen

Time and time again?

Do they not trust us to handle anything deeper?

Or have they simply run out of new ideas?

I wonder...

Sunbathing in eighty degree heat

Listening to Timeflies' latest album

Reading the works of Diana Gabaldon

Sipping on a perfectly chilled Diet Coke

Smashing an overhead over the fence

Suckling a lime after a tequila shot

Finding rhythm while on the treadmill

Chewing spearmint gum after a meal

Laughing at a sincerely funny joke

Making out with a complete stranger

Jumping while watching a horror film

Meeting up with a best friend for lunch

Baking Christmas cookies for "Santa"

Plumping eyelashes with charcoal mascara

Flying high on a playground swing set

Lighting up a brand new candle

Viewing fireworks on the Fourth of July

Singing in a steaming hot shower

Biting into a honeycrisp apple

Fawning over extremely cliched love scenes

Receiving praise for a job well done

Cuddling underneath a pile of blankets

Watching classic Disney movies

Stretching out ridiculously sore muscles

Typing compelling narratives on my laptop

Black or red? ... mmm, black?

Wrong. It's a red seven. Drink. 

Higher or lower?

I will say ... higher? 

It's a black queen. Freaking good;

My drink is so strong;

Ginger ale and whiskey.

In between or outside? Ummmm...

Outside? Incorrect. 

It is a black ten.

Three drinks. Shit. Don't think, just drink.

Now for the hard part:

Which suit will it be?

How to make this random choice?

Hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs...

I'm gonna say clubs?

I actually got it right! 

IT'S CLUBS! It's over!

As I start to leave

With my unfinished beverage

The dealer asks me:

Want to play again?

I halt. Buzzed from my last hand,

I reply: all right. 

Soldiers spurting into assailing adversaries

Cut! Clash! Clang!

Fighters flung and flayed ferociously

Grunt! Gurgle! Gush! 

Blood bubbling from bludgeoned breasts

Shriek! Stifle. Silence...

Remains rot in profligate piles

She unfurled the grip, plastic and all,

And placed it's end on the tip of the neck

And began to spin it.

The grip overlapped predecessors

Tautening and tightening all the while.

Shortened to a nub from the pulling and tugging,

It was time for a trim.