Breadcrumb #573

KEVIN GU

I put on my mint-flavored chapstick,
purchased for
three eighty-nine at
my local convenience store

plastic earbuds pushed
deeply into my
deaf ears, almost
touching my brain,
but not quite drowning
out the penetrating sounds of 
wooden pencils
scribbling on thin sheets of 
lined paper

time’s almost running
out,

you’re this     close to
becoming a failure.

I look at my receipt—
I realize I can’t read.

My lips are chapped again.

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