James Pack

the test is hard
the test is long
all the writing
is hurting my arm

i breeze through the parts
that don’t make sense
but when it comes to facts
i am a mess

these tests are unnecessary
they mean nothing to me
but i must take them
for all eternity

tested over everything
i will face someday
but never understanding
until i reach that day

people don’t like tests
they are intimidated, possibly
but when they are confronted
they don’t really complain

this poem doesn’t make sense
i’m not sure what i mean
i’m taking standardized testing
the boredom is captivating me

Early poetry from James. From the poetry collection Pariah Bound: The Lonesome Poetry.

I still have days where everything feels wrong

I lost my place in the world

I have no purpose

No one would notice if I disappeared

I’m invisible to everyone

I’ve made no significant impact in the world or in anyone’s life

No one cares what I think or feel

I should just give up because nothing matters

And then The Woman sends me a message

All those thoughts vanish

A young mech came to my store
Asking for a copy of Oiled Gears Magazine

“You gotta have three upgrades to buy that.”

“Come on Steve. My last upgrade is in the mail.
I’m practically old enough.”

I scanned his serial number

“One upgrade required.
Come back next week, Wallace.”

I think the humans called that adolescence

From the poetry collection Men Are Garbage.

I grow a beard
Because I like how
It makes my face look

I keep it trimmed
And short
And use scented beard oil
To moisturize the skin
And condition the hair

I do it so
I like my face
And like myself

If you don’t
Like my face
Stop looking at me

From the poetry collection Men Are Garbage.