my weary eyes are well acquainted

with one weathered,

and otherwise unremarkable

popcorn ceiling;

staring back, unyielding.

dimlit,

untouched by dawn, yet.

an AC unit trundles on,

ever so resilient,

and older than me.

seemingly,

making the walls hum,

as the ceiling stares.

drawing my gaze;

raptly.

how long, has it been?

since i first substituted

company;

for polystyrene

camaraderie?

sta...