The Exceptions Poem by Raj Dronamraju

After sex, the day comes back in quickly
As if putting into voice "Hmmm what was I saying? "
As if the closeness they shared was only an interruption
From the forceful unpleasantness, from rigorous responsibility

They were bloated as roadkill signposts
Reminding us what we save for ourselves
Reminding us what we save ourselves from
And it's the little things that have been made secret by a mass forgetfulness
And the ugliness of redefinition
You'll secretly imbibe of a now separated pleasure

He has figured out the joy of just standing outside for five minutes
Closing his eyes with his back facing the two story building he spends his life inside
Its windows are tinted so you can't see in
Its doors only opening when you scan your ID badge

And before the evening's over, he'll smile for a second time
They'll drink coffee, play a board game on top of their bed
These moments are the exceptions
They are sustained by these exceptions