PLEASE MAKE ME READY – Sophie Nobler

October 31, 2025

PICTURES

 
My jaw pops and
drools thick salty spit
into your low leather sofa.

I hate that I want that
from a man who hoards blue rays
and fixes his hairs like you.
Like a canceled man I hid
in Echo Park.

Why here?
Why here?

Leave me, back turned, I’m silent
get a tie you ‘say’,
from a friend you ‘say’,

it’s not real* you say.

That’s my biggest fear!

Why here or maybe
why now?
I finally want to be too old
but I don’t want to still be dumb.
*There’s no knot you ‘say’,
I can free myself.

I’d love to learn that trick.
You think I know every
Single
One.

I’m normal.

Tell me what you see
for once.
I’ll try not to cry.

 

SPARKS

 
I’m warned I shouldn’t lie
So much
But i’m not
just a little.

I didn’t think we’d speak again
I thought you never once
Thought about me
you hated my wet
Loud
hands.

Did I just make you sad or
are you on mute?
Do you have flesh?
I thought you were made of wires.
That would be the only
thing
to ever
make
sense.

 

I LOOKED LIKE A PUDDLE
-for Brautigan

 
Hair washed three hours before
but you said it looked greasy
and maybe covered in sticks?

Frowning on the clock.

Later, under your arch my hair feels clean.

You wanted to call me beautiful
but stopped yourself;
instead I needed to hear I was miserable
that I should be an artist
not a pleb–
but trying every day is honest work!

How can you see all of me and
I can’t even listen
to your stories

Skull sinks under hot mud; did you put
it there?
Did I slip and fall?
Did I willingly dive?

Near empty spices he stares
at the dull lamp;
Her cheeks are alive!
I feel happy
but your eyes don’t–
can’t pretend to

Write me anymore like you used to

I want to break my phone.

 

GOLD LINE

 
I used to breathe
and
use my feet to walk on pavement

when jasmine polluted the air
puppies tickled our ankles
pink
seeping
clouds hung

you were
holding my nape
telling me how you marched downstairs
when you were sixteen angrier on each step
and we laughed and were babies
and explorers together

now you live in Vienna with a stranger.

I learned that before I left home too
and I cried to my mother
When will that be me?

Will I feel it again?

I’m not supposed to
think about your ghost
but you never fully left—

Please make me ready.