Hermit

JULES GATES

March 16, 2020

I keep crying, but I don't know why.

I slept for 2 days because I couldn't breathe—

as per usual.

I get the equipment for the sleep study this coming Wednesday.

Hours of dry heaving due to sour stomach.

I'm used to all that.

Nothing new. 

Being alone—not new either.

Rampant human greed I see happening out there

Makes me want to withdraw and stay alone.

House alarm’s always on.

I am not afraid of being alone. 

I am afraid of our government

And people.

JULES GATES is an Associate Professor of English at Angelo State University, where she teaches creative writing, literature, and composition. She has actively worked on the ASU Writers Conference in Honor of Elmer Kelton since 2003. She has poetry published in RiverSedge, Voices de la Luna, Concho River Review, Writing Texas, and other journals in Texas and across the country. She is a regular presenter at Langdon Review Weekend and TACWT (Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers).