Tristan Robert Lange

In the Box

I am such an asshole,

Or so I hear you say,

Which makes me wonder,

What it is that I did today?

Did I speak too soft

When you told me

Silence is what you sought?

Did I yell too loud

While showing you

I am so very proud

Of you.

Did I cry too long

When you acted like

We could only be strong?

Did my questions surprise

When you just wanted

To accept lies?

Was I a cup

Of icy-cold water, splashed

To wake you up?

Was it that I,

Just now,

Made my reply

Mirror your tone,

Shocking

And rocking

Your fragile bone?

In all of this,

It has become clear:

I’m destined to be alone,

Where I am all that I have

To fear.

Maybe—

Just maybe—

It’s okay to end up

A solitary soul,

Where I’m best friends forever

With my own worst enemy—

Myself.

There’ll be nothing to show,

No advance ammo for the

Gratuitous grievances poll.

Yes,

It has to be okay

To end up

A solitary soul—

Trapped in a hole

That is covered

By a bowl—

Playing the role

Of Jack

In the Box.

© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.