better

chrome ails
says the sputtering sign out the bus window
a better me would cycle
past the shuddering bus
the cars in a jam

spa nicure
the bus moves on
past charity shops shuttered for the night
a better me would buy local
rather than clicking and waiting
for the mailbox to clatter

a better me would walk
a better me would need less
single-use painkiller packets
watts to boil the kettle
work more
use less
help more
ask less
do more
need less

what world does she live in
is she better enough to shoulder this monster
with the other on the other
a better me
and a better me
if i was better
i could be better
but would i be
better