towel

When I was younger,

After I’d bathed,

I’d put a towel around my shoulders so my shirt wouldn’t be wet

With that on, I’d run around the house pretending I was a superhero

The towel fluttering behind like my cape

I was invincible.

No one could stop me.

now, I put the towel on

and I feel

like a boxer who’s taken too many hits

the towel on his shoulders soaking up

his sweat, his blood, his tears

icing his face in the corner,

slumped over the railings,

panting.

bloody

blackeyed

tired.

im vulnerable

i take two shots and go down