The stranger things

1.

I have conversations with myself. Regularly. 

I imagine you up 

my stranger. 

I place you like a counter on a board game 

into moments 

which just like you

don't quite exist

2.

I walk past litter only to

walk back.

The guilt is like gravity-

rustling crisp packets and lonely branches 

pull me

back.

3.
I write poetry down
then erase it

I am scared

4.
I don't like talking on the phone-
always worried that I won't know
what to say
how to say it
when to hang up

so I don't call people
and people never call me
and I am left

hung up

5.
I cry often.
at unlikely times
in public places.
walking to school
in the staff room
on the train

So I look up

To catch the tears
and dull the pain

6.
I refuse hugs.
always

but really

most of the time
a good hug

is all I need