“you look like the kid from stranger things”
is the only thing people stop me to say
not “i like your ring”
not “are you okay?”

maybe i have been trapped in an alternate dimension
maybe that’s why everything feels wrong
but there’s nothing less strange than the teen who thinks they defy convention
while embodying the epitome of the adolescent throngs

my brother says i sigh in excess
as if i’m trying to come off in a melodramatic way
but the exhalations rush out before i can suppress
the ennui flowing like water from the hole in our ice cube tray

i wish i were a monster that could incite passion or terror with a stare
with shining ten-inch claws and eyes that speak of meteor showers
instead i have nails painted shoddily black and unwashed hair
when did i get robbed of all my power?

sometimes i walk alone at night when everybody else is sleeping
blasting music until my life feels somewhat notable
the song usually skips right when i’ve almost succeeded at weeping
serves me right for expecting a climax

my skin is always cold from the rain i don’t want to shield myself from
and warm from the sudden sprints my feet embark on
my heart is always warm from the times their gaze made my heart thrum
and cold from the knowledge that easy childhood bliss is gone

when i stop walking, the wetness seeps in through my sneakers