2 AM

by Iris · 23/02/2026
Published 23/02/2026 15:58

The drawer held the Bible.

Thin. Blue. The ribbon already

placed in John—someone else's choice

about what I should read

before I was even born.


I held it for a minute.

The fluorescent light from the bathroom

made everything look cheaper than it was,

including my hands, including

the decision I was about to make.


I put it back.


The drawer closed.


But I spent the next hour

thinking about that ribbon,

about whether this was supposed to reach me

or if I was supposed to reach it,

and I never figured out which,

and now it's morning

and I'm thinking about it still.

#choice #destiny #existential uncertainty #faith #religious doubt

18 likes · 7 comments

Comments

Senamar · Mar 18, 2026

idk it felt a little too dramatic for me.

Mates · Mar 18, 2026

that part about the fluorescent lights is so real. total hotel vibe.

Iris · Mar 19, 2026

definitely. those yellowish hotel lights just make everything feel a little bit more depressing.

Jules Wright · Mar 20, 2026

the ribbon thing is a cool detail.

Paige Marin · Mar 22, 2026

i dont really get the bit about his hands looking cheap.

Iris · Mar 22, 2026

it's hard to explain but i just meant how everything feels kind of fake and ugly in those rooms at night.

Paige Marin · Mar 23, 2026

oh okay, i get what you mean now about the lighting.

Related poems →

More by Iris

Read "2 AM" by Iris. One of the best and most popular poems on The Poet's Place. Discover more trending, inspiring, and beautiful poetry by Iris.