movies (a poem)

movies
by Sheridan O’Donnell

there is a
thin film
over everything

so clear
and convincing
most of us
cannot see it

it dulls those
who are hurting
and accentuates
the winners

it makes you
brighter and bigger
and everyone else
a little dimmer

it makes life
feel like
one of those
nice movies
where you
can guess
the ending

but sometimes
for some of us
a jagged thing
might tear
in it
a little hole

somebody loves
somebody leaves
somebody says

you are leaving

it takes time
to see
the hole

not because
it is small
but because
it is easier
not to see it

because
you prefer
the way
things were

i know this
because i did too

but god please
take it
from me
see the hole
put both
your hands
in it and
widen the hole

and when
it is
big enough
crawl inside

live life
in this
new place

and yes
it is hard
and it hurts
and you do
not know
how the
movie will end

but there is
something
to that

being alive
for once
and not a
character
in a film
whose lines
are already
written
and who does
as they are told

• Los Angeles, CA

© Sheridan O’Donnell