from 3:52P.M to 3:53P.M. Grayscale furniture line forgiving floors and plead to be moved. Pondering circles scheduled parental pick-ups calls intruded with broken copy machine(s) leads to raised eyebrows. Excited to see that in after-hours and 42 Tabs a breath of quiet relief speaks. “Hi!” Casually. Cautiously breathing; seemingly seeing monotonous patterns break loose officing in the office. Offering an avenue of conversation reluctancy deems true with an attempt to run cover. Discovering trembling quiver as told to start recounting alienates this accident. No cooperation. Countlessly blinks on dust particles. The outside chokes on stuffy transitions; tranquility resonates throughout stiff bones. Hesitates. Intrusion releases tension after two suspicious glances of eloquence elegantly recovers hesitancy through routine checks casually. A visualized cry to step inside follows soothe and steady. Sit, “Whenever you’re ready.”
I need permission to keep my eyes open. Sleep deprived. It's 2:46 A.M. / jaw opens ferociously / torturing shut my mouth two feet away sluggish freedom as lay you on edge years I ponder finding comfort on couches coaching myself Iced Black Espressos from 7 A.M From 2:48 A.M to 2:49 A.M. / Wheels round towards straights of neon lighting paths; endless tracks meets astigmatism Flickers blurred in fourth and back It's okay; there's only 3 hours and 25 minutes left Registered idea a half before / drowsiness takes the passenger seat. No / Re-engines neck posture straight towards street signs. 3:04 A.M. again. / Fog disrupts a stigmatized road straight ahead. Cannot see signs. It's 3:14 a.m. /Head up tilts. Li- cense plate blurry Nice stars Headlights on the count of three. 3, 2, sleep
A gap between a period and a comma
pressures arise – speaking full structured soliloquies
energy waves travel through thunder smoke on Tuesday morning
internalizing what seems to be it one last time.
Crest toothpaste; extra whitening power
bristles of soft strength drag back and forth across tooth enamel
clenching mint spoken theories of final imaginary thought
internalizing what seems to be it.
Sky blue hues of scented washing detergent spill gradually
into the machine. Spin and spin mixing with fuming steam
ridding Staphylococcus and mold spores from cotton-textured fabric
internalizing what seems to be.
White plastic spork hardened through polymerized chemicals
tears away cheap plastic, jabs what remains through organic eggs.
After 6.3 minutes the washer hums "Die Forelle" ("The Trout")
internalizing what seems to be [due]
English homework at 11:59 P.M.
pressure flies open a MacBook screen.
Fingertips flutter fabricating thoughts into craft
internalizing what seems
and period. made up my mind.
there’s
stillness
in the
pause
and
still, it
speaks.

Emily Ram is an NYC English Language Arts writer and teacher of Indo-Guyanese descent. She received her B. A. in English Education and M.S. Ed. in Literacy Education. Through poetry, she explores layers of memory embodiment and processing through introspective lenses. She interrogates language by experimenting with morphology, syntax & form