Tomorrow Isn’t Going Anywhere If You Aren’t

Floating dust. Spotlight sunbeam. Feet towards the people. Cough the rust off your lungs. Empty eyes drawn to burning bulbs. It’s time to speak up.

SHE SPEAKS:

You called me crying and I wanted to call you babe or baby, but there wasn’t a word sweet enough or soft enough for you. There wasn’t a single word that could have let you know how much pain I felt on the other end. I couldn’t get to you, I couldn’t put my hands on you. I just wanted to be sweet to you, to be soft with you. So I tried to think of something to say, something to call you, but I just wound up saying your name. Because it’s the best word I know.

(They snap their fingers.)

(Then it is quiet.)

SHE SPEAKS:

My man told me I should get my shit together.

That he’s running out of patience.

My man said he hates the way that other men look at me.

That I should hate it too.

My man told me that I cry too much.

That I’m not fun anymore.

My man told me that he’s not my man anymore.

That he never really was.

(They snap their fingers.)

(Then it is quiet.)

SHE SPEAKS:

Shirt slipping off my bones,

not a strong enough house to call a home.

I keep kissing boys that I don’t like,

And putting my trust in the strength of their spines.

The sun is out but the moon is too,

I can’t be me when I’m with you.

(They snap their fingers.)

(Then it is quiet.)

SHE SPEAKS:

You kissed me.

And then I brushed my teeth,

My gums,

My tongue,

My lips.

Until they all bled.

Then I spit you out and ran the sink.

(They snap their fingers.)

(Then it is quiet.)

SHE SPEAKS:

I don’t trust you with my lies, I can’t call you when I’m sad.

You made this what we are. You ruined what we had.

You were a coward when it counted. They walked away, you ran.

But you’re still my favorite ghost, And you’ll always be my man.

(They snap their fingers.)

(Then it is quiet.)

SHE SPEAKS:

Branches breaking off of trees,

I’m sad for you,

And I’m sad for me.

I know last night you broke your teeth,

So make this a promise that you’re ready to keep.

(They clap their hands.)

(She stops speaking.)

(Then it's quiet.)