Anxious Poets Society
Safe Haven/Curtains by Andie Schoen
the smell of cardboard is choking me today pale brown mountains
with dusty snowfalls
and ridges of permanent marker
partially obscure my view
of the terrible white paint
she lifts the curtain rod
it shrieks as it scratches
against its bearings
jumping up in fear
and collapsing into her hand
she removes the faded curtains
forlorn and resigned
they need to be washed, she remarks
dust billows around like smoke
as she folds them
the life they watched unfold
crackles and sparks
blazing behind them
i look on in horror
i’m so sorry, i scream in my head
muzzling myself with my shivering hand
sobs seeping through
my teeth full of maggots
i love you so much.
it’s just your time.
she returns the curtainless rod
to its hook
reaching for the other end
she can’t get that far
she takes the center
it shakes under her palm
i let out a yelp
she begins removing the curtain
it reaches for its last breath,
quaking
before it releases it
we’re killing it
it’s our home
and we’re killing it.
Andie Schoen is a 19-year-old poet, singer-songwriter, and artist. All of their creative works are cathartic and depict their struggles with mental illness and difficult emotions.