“cracking jokes so you don’t break down crying.”
outside there is rain. it settles on trees, comforting them into growing for another year and turning their leaves golden under the autumn sun. inside there you stand. staring past my head and into my lilac walls, avoiding eye contact as if it would give you heat stroke and leave you parched for days. i cannot perform magic or even dance a simple routine but with a flick of my tongue and a press of lips i can tell a simple joke. it’s an almost lie because i am biting back tears but through the punchline you giggle and i can again start to breathe.
