Miles Away Boy

Chipped polish on cracked fingernails
I sit and stare at them, trying to find
words to match the feeling.

My head hurts impressively, feeling
for all the world like a giant cantaloupe
that's been split open and leaks.

He sits behind me, back turned
maybe three feet away but you know
it might as well be miles.

Sleep cannot be achieved or feigned
so I've given up on trying, although
that's all I want to do right now.

Confusion clouds my brain, thick and hazy
and the only question on my mind is
what went wrong last night.

Wishing the phone would ring, any excuse
welcome to pull me out of this room
give me a reason to stop thinking.

So I turn to the cat, cradle it in my arms
and utter bits of baby talk because
it loves unconditionally.