A POEM by NATALIE HELSEL

the use of toxic in one’s vocabulary is an indicator of one’s own toxicity

i’m not available

outside of work hours,

i’m popping

a whitehead between two fingers

just turn yr notifications off

he needs toothpaste

but this pustule is nagging me

she needs to go to therapy

address her toxicity

it explodes

streaky pus circles our reflection

toilet paper specks over his hair

he’s still waiting

toothbrush in hand

she has no boundaries, today, she

told me about her dud college boyfriend

i point to my chin,

how noticeable is it??

it’s clear yr not happy there

just leave

she cold calls me

at 10 pm

he says something about taking space

yeah. i need more elbow room

this mirror is too small for us both

are you listening?

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Natalie Helsel (she/they) studies creative writing at Pratt Institute. You can find her on a park bench writing poems about passersby. Or on Instagram @nvtlie.