Sorry I'm Late Story Stick

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Sorry I’m Late
Rory Strong & Phaye Poliakoff-Chen
© Tupelo Quarterly, May 2024

I

Sorry I’m late
I’ve been stalked by starved hyenas
I have some loose ends
I had a qualifying life event
Knife play, again.

Sorry I missed your call
I was numbing the pain hidden deep inside myself
I was singing songs to stop the silence
I’ve been shaking on the floor

Sorry I’m late
I am the family emergency

II

Sorry I’m late
I’ve been screaming in panic
I fell by the wayside
I’ve been taking the edge off
I yelled fire in a crowded theatre

Sorry I missed your call
It’s 14 days until Easter
The sky was falling
I’m in an armed standoff
The world got away from me
I’ve been bracing for impact

Sorry I’m late
The world was once spacedust
I was pursuing a goldrush
I’ve been cut off
I left myself at the altar
They stopped selling at midnight
I was locked in a tower
I chose my adventure

Sorry I’m late
I do not take place.