“Post High School” Poem of the Day (2022)

“Post High School”

By Ashley O’Hare

Two friends married

One traveling cross country.

Half the graduating class

Turn without a second glance,

Desperate for a promised second chance.

These movie posters on my wall

Have heard all the phone calls.

They’ve seen mascara run down my face

As I fell behind in the race.

They heard his poor excuse

For dropping me for someone new.

These walls have hugged me

When his words choked me.

How am I supposed to pack—

To leave the stability that kept me on track?

The checklist is still on my desk.

He’s moving on again

From a new alma mater

While I remain frozen

In a desert with no water.