POP

BY AMY COOPER

I WAS RAISED by materials

Rarely yearned for what I never had Social bubbling

Without being shaken

Once my carbonation rose

I was so confident I would not lose myself

Yet now that I am Talking and laughing and playing Everything I once lacked but did not miss My glass is full in those moments and Every second I spend alone I feel an ache, I feel amiss

It’s strange to have these growing pains

When I’m fully grown My brain, once my closest friend Now blank or fizzling with woe

I’m terrified I’m so fucking scared Of when my bubbles wane and I’m inevitably thrown away

(PLEASE, DON’T THROW ME AWAY)