someone’s dying

someone's crying

something broke

sentimental pieces

have lost their shine

now that they

are shattered

someone's masking

their fragile sadness

with anger.

someone's spilling

their drink across

an unsuspecting lap

and that of course

is kindling

to the flame

someone's yelling

my god how could you be so stupid

but still

someone's smiling

for the obligatory photograph

at midnight

and sipping

celebratory champagne

even though it

burns all the way down.

someone's hoping

that this'll be their year.

push away from who they used to be,

launched into a new reality,

and dear god

please don't ruin

yet another

holiday.

someone's swallowing

their panic,

keeping up a facade,

even when

no one's looking.

someone's feeling

alone

even in a crowded house.

wishing they could learn

how to exist.

someone's writing

frantically

in order to tune out

the ball dropping

in tandem

with yelling.

someone's dying

and their new year's resolution

is simply

to survive

because every day

is a victory,

even if they get

nothing else done,

they will live

because they have to.