Playing Hooky in the Head

Richie’s self-awareness comes down

to someone calling out his name.

Then it’s suddenly painful to be alive.

He’s, once again, the Richie who’s separated 

from his wife, who drank himself 

absent from his mother’s funeral,

who broke a stranger’s jaw over

one accidental sidewalk bumping.

And just as Richie takes a moment

to forget who Richie is, an old

acquaintance just happens to spot him. 

One word puts Richie back in Richie’s head.

One word – “Richie!” 

The exclamation mark is unnecessary.

Richie’s brain is already punctuated.