Restless in Carolina

Foreign city,
far away from the recognizable,
yet completely predictable.

Let me be grateful for a moment!

"Thanks for your short brick houses,
your lively trees and growing greenery.
You are the proudest,
aren't you Charlotte?
Salutations to your patriotism,
those generously-sized portions,
and your lack of abortions."

My neck is stiff,
against these pillows,
throat inflamed,
here in this economically-challenged hotel room.
Although friendlier than the last.
Yes, curtains and spreads from the past.
At least we cleared the smell of rats.

And yet here I am alone,
surrounded by you.
Just appearing alone.
(Seemingly to an outsider.)
In my head the wheels are turning,
my insides swirling.
It's a secret world that I take pride in.
Fast-tracking my subconscious,
unmasking my consecration,
my conscious.

My heart isn't here though.
I miss my yesterday.
I smell my fingers to escape.
I'm restless in Carolina.