Chanda Kaunda
"Soft Matter"
I see you less
And less.
I am a remember when
A time stamp of your past.
I am an empty name in your stories
No longer an entity.
I am an old photograph fading with the memory
A decoration in your life.
Our conversations haunt me
They’re a dull ringing in my ear
But there is no peace in silence
No comfort in a void.
What happened?
You used to share all your secrets
Now you can’t grant me a hello.
I accompanied you on all of your adventures
You trusted me like a guide.
We braved the darkness together.
I held your head at night,
Even when it was too much for me.
The weight of your world
So much to bear
What could I do? What did you expect from me?
What did you see in me, because I don’t see it in myself?
Time has betrayed me
Betrayed us.
I know you’ve outgrown my camaraderie
And a visit would be emotional fluff
But still,
I miss you.
I see you less
And less.
I am a remember when
A time stamp of your past.
I am an empty name in your stories
No longer an entity.
I am an old photograph fading with the memory
A decoration in your life.
Our conversations haunt me
They’re a dull ringing in my ear
But there is no peace in silence
No comfort in a void.
What happened?
You used to share all your secrets
Now you can’t grant me a hello.
I accompanied you on all of your adventures
You trusted me like a guide.
We braved the darkness together.
I held your head at night,
Even when it was too much for me.
The weight of your world
So much to bear
What could I do? What did you expect from me?
What did you see in me, because I don’t see it in myself?
Time has betrayed me
Betrayed us.
I know you’ve outgrown my camaraderie
And a visit would be emotional fluff
But still,
I miss you.
"Intrusion"
THWACK
What’s happening?
What is this?
How do I get out?
I can’t escape
I’m stuck!
THWACK
Did I?
Finally,
What a relief!
No room, there’s no room
Beams of light
Flickering
Moving
Who’s there?
What’s there?
I can’t stand you.
Colliding into my personal space
No boundaries left, no boundaries remain.
And your noise, I can’t stand your noise
Buzz, buzz, buzzing around
The sound, a dagger to my ear.
But now
Bang, bang, bang.
Vibrations, I feel them
It’s shaking
I’m shaking
I can’t help it
Is this how it ends?
Tap, tap, tap.
What to do, what to do
Do I release you or kill you?
If release you, you could get back in
Or maybe you wouldn’t.
Is it worth it?
THWACK
What’s happening?
What is this?
How do I get out?
I can’t escape
I’m stuck!
THWACK
Did I?
Finally,
What a relief!
No room, there’s no room
Beams of light
Flickering
Moving
Who’s there?
What’s there?
I can’t stand you.
Colliding into my personal space
No boundaries left, no boundaries remain.
And your noise, I can’t stand your noise
Buzz, buzz, buzzing around
The sound, a dagger to my ear.
But now
Bang, bang, bang.
Vibrations, I feel them
It’s shaking
I’m shaking
I can’t help it
Is this how it ends?
Tap, tap, tap.
What to do, what to do
Do I release you or kill you?
If release you, you could get back in
Or maybe you wouldn’t.
Is it worth it?