Erratic Thermostat

Casey Catherine Moore

Madness is not something you can bury,

cause you will lose yourself in the worry

Running from curses, bad blood, and voices,

wondering what was really behind all those choices

Who owns the feelings, when your mind is reeling,

when the waters get rough, and the drugs aren’t enough?

Sometimes I burn, sometimes I drown,

the tools I lend loved ones nowhere to be found

Laying floors for others brick by brick

holding on to all the habits I cannot kick

I’m an emotional tornado, but staying alive though

Sturdy as a six-toed Hemmingway cat,

just ruled by an erratic thermostat.

ABOUT THE POET

Casey Catherine Moore is a bipolar, bisexual writer, educator, and activist. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of South Carolina with a focus on Classics, Latin poetry, women’s and gender studies, and queer theory. Casey’s work, which centers gender, sexuality, and dis/ability, can be found in academic and creative publications including The Comparatist, Sinister Wisdom, and Samfiftyfour, and Bourgeon. She co-produces and co-hosts the queer spoken word series Homo Stanzas and has been a featured poet for Busboys & Poets, The Nail Salon queer cabaret, Capturing Fire, and the 2022 March for Medicare for All Rally in Washington, DC. www.caseycatherinemorephd.com IG: caseycatherinemoore