Joseph O'Keefe​

Moving Without Knowing

​

 

 

Each night tens of millions rise in the cool dark with purpose but no point

to sleepwalk through hushed rooms and settled streets

They move without knowing their motions

 

Insensible seers of modest compelling destinations

They flick lights on and off in bathrooms

stand and mumble in empty living rooms

burning bacon and eggs in kitchens

 

Each day millions of dispossessed girls bound and aimless roll up their sleeves 

cut themselves awake with chevrons of blood 

daub their arms with formless reasons

 

When every step is retraced and understood, it still makes no sense

She was looking at me, trying to say something

It was like she was not there

but wanted to keep moving