Bipolar Weather

Weather or Not by Marianna Shareef

I'm a native

To navigating uneven terrain

I enjoy traversing plateaus

And wandering sun-washed valleys

Until the day is snuffed out

But I fear the sharp inclines

The sudden descents

The slow spiral into insanity

That attempts to drag me down

With finality

Dark clouds brew on my brow

Anger flashes through me

And I strike you down with my tongue

Before my eyes clear

My fear reflected in your face

Worry lining your forehead

You ask me if I'm okay

I say

Iron out the creases

I'll wash the dirty laundry

Air out the stench of self-loathing

Dry your eyes

I'll leave the clean linens out

Fresh and folded

Find me knee deep in the dirt

Burying my favorite vices

Tearing up stubborn old roots

When rain finally breaks

I'll let it cleanse my pain

Disintegrate my shame

When morning comes

Sun struck like a wild match

Illuminating break of day

All will have washed away

Just don’t throw me out

With the bath water

I have a long hike ahead of me

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