The feeling feeders.

They crawl
they get in
they get out
nestling within the dirt.

The feeling feeders
expand, growing larger
they want a release
they want to speak
and me listen
and I can’t
because I am not selfless.

In the dirt they multiply
eating the neighborhood
taking it in
letting it out in their squeaks
they want us to listen
their stories exhausting
and I’m tired already.

I don’t need to listen
hear the words I’ve spoken
I know not always politely
I make mistakes
I speak irrationally
and fast
I don’t want to remember
my faults
in each conversation
so please eat it
and let it out somewhere else
because I know
my faults
I do
just let me rest.

I understand your lonely
others must be
alone in their homes
literally or metaphorically
although I am not
I’m exhausted
with plenty of human interaction
and when I get a chance
I want to be alone
those critters in the dirt
just take a rest
and when you wake
try something new.

Thanks for reading.
-Temperamentally Tina