overplayed
 
i tend to
disappear
in spots
far
from the limelight
 
which is funny
because
i’m not in any light
 
so i retract
retreat
fadeaway,
for months
 
not a peep
not a word
 
sometimes
i feel like
an old 45
on the record player
spinning,
playing constantly
 
the needle
pressed into the grooves
plays to the end
the arm lifts
replays
 
over and over,
 
until the grooves
turn white,
the music
scratchy,
 
starts skipping
 

© Charles Mariano