the deep end

Look at them,

brains wired to survive

not to be happy

soaking up chemicals

inside the sponges of their skulls

until they feel something

like the ones in

little glowing screens

standing knee high

in chlorine water

talking about regional sales

from a Midwest district office,

pedicures and future plans

and how this is so much fun

but the spark plugs

inside their heads still misfire

either firing too hard,

too often,

or not firing at all

I can see the kids in the deep end

haven’t settled for the shallow yet

full of electricity and color

without the chemicals

for now.