Poem number 297

i have stopped counting

the times i started crying

for absolutely no reason

i looked outside and saw

these familiar yet strange faces

faces of dogs going on a ride

faces of couples in love

faces of people inside the bright windows

faces of people talking in the cafe at night

faces of everyone, but mine.

i pictured myself in them, for a brief moment

i was no one, but everyone, all at once

i was happy, sad, and delighted

anxious, annoyed, and surprised

depressed, disappointed, and excited

and there i was, just existing

being, in the present

i didn’t care where i was going

because that doesn’t matter anymore

i didn’t care about what others think or feel

it’s not important because no one really cares

no. one. cares.

and I find myself smiling

for not giving a damn.

t.l.