E. Lexi Abbott

life is like a pizza box…

hidden behind a code

and yet still a little off

with regular crust

and some pretzel salt thrown on top

missing crazy sauce

and two Mountain Dew pops

nevermind what was actually ordered

and what was printed on the slip

life throws weird things at you

and dares you not to trip

so you go home to sit on your bed

curled in a blanket tight

munching on weird-ass pizza

playing videogames until late at night

nevermind what was expected

or what is the norm

the question is

is it worth the storm?

of emotions and banter

and comments and spite

all over a pizza

that wasn’t quite right?

no, of course it’s not.

So you ignore the reality

slowly slipping into a new scene entirely

and before you know it – as the years tick by and the absurdity piles on

you’ve grown completely numb and accustomed to this repeat song

your energy drained and your eyes bloodshot white

surrounded by piles of crumpled paper from long lost fights

fights for justice

fights for peace

fights for just being able to get some goddamn sleep

fights for utopia

fights for how it should be

forever watching the clock ticking

knowing that one day the robots will clearly see – it’s worthless

the pizza will always be a little off

do we keep ignoring it or do we throw away the box?