After Kim Addonizio’s “To the Woman Crying Uncontrollably in the Next Stall”

If you’ve ever been called a zombie
for not being able to get out of bed
ever had your quickly-patted-on makeup
compared to a creepy clown’s
stopped your pursuit of alternative medicine
for fear people would perceive it as “witchy”
stayed inside so long your pale skin
reminded you of a vampire
had a boyfriend howl like a werewolf
upon touching your long leg hair
cried hard enough that your bloodshot eyes
were red as cartoon demon horns
felt slapped in the face with a friend’s
“you’ve become a ghost of yourself”
been stared at like an alien
for screaming, for begging
someone, anyone,
to understand / listen, I see you.
You are no monster.

Chris Kads (she/her) is a queer, Arizonan poet who holds a BA in Literature and a Certificate in Writing from Arizona State University. While Chris loves fall and its associated horror films, she fears the way the season tends to make her OCD flare up. Chris hopes, through her pieces, to help others with similar, seasonal mental health struggles not feel so alone. To read more of her works, you can find Chris featured in Blood+Honey Literary Magazine, Shine International Poetry Series, Canyon Voices Literary Magazine, Pillow Talk Magazine, and the anthology If You Ever. Additionally, you can find her on instagram at @chris_kads, where she hosts the biweekly poetry challenge Gut Punch Prompts. 

Instagram: @chris_kads
Website: chriskadswriting.com