Hi. | The Voice That Was Always There
Hi.
Hi.
Do you remember me?
It’s me
Hello?
Please
Ok, fine.
Pretend to be a goldfish
I’m here
But
I was screaming and kicking
While the bomb was ticking
I wasn’t the only sign
If you had bothered to look
At the light in the dashboard
You get ready for work
The alarm irks
Searching for a shirt
Another day where expectations lurk
Lovely.
Clearing your face with water
Hoping for comfort
Wallet down under
Keys by the door
Coffee to pour
Exhaustion ignored
Armor once more
Done.
You open the door
You leave
But you left something behind
Do you know what it is?
Hm?
And no, it’s not your smile
But good guess.
Drawing blanks?
Ah, right
Goldfish.
I know this is a bad time to play games
Or to be funny
But I find that humor helps
But what do you know about having fun?
You come back home
Games, TV, Toys, Books
Projects on the shelf
Yet, your first stop is the bed
Curious.
Must be nice to do nothing all day.
You go to bars
Drinking your troubles away
Pretending that you are Elvis
Just like everyone else
Suddenly, people like you
But
I know you.
You are nothing.
Goals put to the wayside
Dreams become nostalgic
Ambition snuff out
Still hiding behind the same walls?
Seriously?
What even is your irreducible minimum?
Your old ideas of one day
being an astronaut
or being president
Were more entertaining than what you are now
I’m not sad
I’m disappointed
Everyday
Your drained like a battery
However, I don’t see bite marks
That was a joke.
Ugh
I remember when joy was second nature
You know, when you remembered me
You were
And still are your own best cheerleader
Yet you measure your worth based on performance
Eyes heavy from the blue light
When the moon is up
Or rolling up boulders
Even during the seventh day
Despite how they will still roll down
Afterwards
You don’t have to
Yet you do
For an entity
That would replace your footsteps
Transforming yourself from a spiral
to a square
Just to appease the boxes
Oh, let’s not forget the people
You choose to surround yourself
You would pull them from the ledge
They wouldn't reach for yours
Remember the bomb?
Now, boom
Here we are.
And all it took was
One.
FUCKING.
Word.
That’s what it took
To take off that armor of yours!?
You weep over that
Versus the world you left barren?
You are already making your car wet
Just like you did on your pillows
You are still low
And it shows
It’s not a fair battle
When you have no reinforcement
I would have made Agincourt
A fairer fight
And yet
You did not blow the horn
WHY?
WHY LEAVE ME OUT?
Do you hate me?
Even if the world betrays you
I would still love you
Even if
You didn’t let me say goodbye
So…
Do you remember me?
It’s me
About Eden
Eden Alon is a disability coach and community facilitator who works with teens and young adults with disabilities to build confidence, communication skills, and independence in everyday life. With a background in communication, advocacy, and nonprofit work, Eden has supported hundreds of people through coaching, workshops, and peer-led programs.
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© 2026 Eden Alon. All rights reserved. “Hi.” is an original poem by Eden Alon. The poem, including its text and all constituent elements, is protected by copyright law. No part of this work may be reproduced, distributed, publicly displayed, adapted, stored, or otherwise used without the prior written permission of the author.
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