Ratrace

I reached out

quietly

like someone drowning

without making a splash

but they were too busy

saving themselves

from puddles

they made look like oceans

I whispered

my world was breaking

and they smiled

and talked about theirs

funny

how loneliness feels loud

but no one hears it

this world—

so full

of people

running

from their own shadows

they never notice

the ones falling

behind