Before I fall asleep
After the lights are out
And my head on the pillow – That’s when my brain awakens.

It’s when the past and the present and the future Meet and mingle,
Talk over each other,
Spilling drinks on each other’s clothes

And stepping on each other’s toes Trading secrets
And gossip
Until I don’t know which story belongs To whom anymore.

They allocate blame,
And shame,
All with one target in mind,
Mocking her dutifully
Reminding her of mistakes made and still to be made.

And so I will lie,
Wondering
Why I invited such mean friends to a party anyway

by Joanna Woznicka