Are you okay/do you want to talk about it

You're sitting on the couch

And you're tapping your feet at 135 miles per hour

You're waiting for something to happen

A dialogue box appears

Along with a few little dots

You do understand that

There is no meaning in what is happening

Except for the fact that it is happening

Although, nothing is happening here

…

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On curating Slam Poetry Nights for Dhaka Lit Fest tomorrow

The dialogue box disappears

With no meaningful exchange of words in between

The year went by just like that

You were busy being sour over the color of green leaves covered in dust

You've been waiting for it to rain ever since you can remember

Have you considered taking a shower?

Not to offend you or anything, but you look like you could use

Another shower. Let a stream of hot water pour over you and lull you

Into a dreamless, painless, peaceful sleep or simply burn you

And burn you to death right there

Do you remember that your mother said that

Your lips were dry

You probably should do something about it

Your eyes look tired

You deserve a nice sleep

Away from all the terrible lullabies he sings to you

Away from his terrible voice with the reverb knob cranked to the top

Away from the echoes inside of you

When was the last time you applied something to your face? And

How are you going to answer all the questions he's going to ask you?

Have you thought them through?

You don't want to talk to him

But he wants to talk to you and hold you

And press his body against you with all his weight

And tell you that everything will be okay

And you want that too

But he's late

Why's he late

Is he thinking of doing something?

You're sitting on the couch

And you're tapping your feet at 135 miles per hour

Waiting for him

He is you

This poem was performed at the SHOUT X DS Books' Slam Poetry Nights session at the Dhaka Lit Fest on January 5, 2023. 

AM Fahad is a regular performer in SHOUTxDSBooks Slam Poetry Nights.