Less Than Nothing — Poetry

~for the Universal You~

I may as well be a ghost
as far as you bother—
every time I display myself
you turn the other way

this curse has lingered
from childhood – ignored
thru adulthood – scorned
into marriage – rejected

even now as I sling
inky tar against cotton
my stains never cross
the divide of your mind—
my oblivion complete

reduced to an aberration
even my haunts elude you

©April 2014, Lori Carlson

In Search of Oblivion

The days fizzled by
in bouts of brandy-laced coffee
and eggnog —
Sleep overcame me
in spurts and sputters —
I wanted only to be warm

I awoke in pools of sweat
chilled to the bone
seconds after removing the comforter —
I removed blankets and sheets
the clothes I’d slept in
and replaced all with clean, dry ones

And the cycle repeated
from New Year’s Eve
until the passing of the new first day —
I achieved oblivion.

© 2014 Lori Carlson