Just Like Me

I bet the night doesn’t greet you like it used to
a gripping bear hug
you try to wiggle free
struggling to push it away
all you want is space
the bed is too small
nowhere to put your arms anymore.

I bet you know you’re wrong
statements you don’t believe in
words you say for no reason
a stance you hold
waiting for a picture to be taken
slowly processed
no one goes to a party for one.

I bet you were once out of your head
the eyes straight ahead held your reflection
steps were taken
left right left
you never thought
you knew
your reflection found a new home.

I bet you had a clue
put the puzzle pieces together
started with the edges
worked your way in
so close to the answer
so far from the question
a solved puzzle left in disarray.

I bet you hate the clock
the way it hurls insults
every tick
every tock
a reminder that you’re running out
better start walking
do you remember how to crawl?

I bet you forgot how to feel
reset to a default setting
still in its package
batteries not included
what is a memory
which factory makes them
is this when I’m supposed to laugh?

I bet you listen to too many songs
they tickle your ear
you hope they beat your heart
hypnotize your mind
like a lightbulb
you wait for the switch to go on
but you don’t live here anymore.

I bet you ask many questions
to no one in particular
when and why
how and what
where and who…
you pause
…am I?

I bet you are just like me
I am sorry
venn diagram
we are nothing alike
I am me
who are you
I thought I was you.