Bad idea Quote by Jeananne Verlee
““you are an exit wound the extra shot of tequila the tangled knot of hair that has to be cut out you are the cell phone ringing in a hushed theatre pebble wedged in the sole of a boot the bloody hangnail you are, just this once you are flip flops in a thunderstorm the boy’s lost erection a pen gone dry you are my father’s nightmare my mother’s mirage you are a manic high which is to say: you are a bad idea you are herpes despite the condom you are, I know better you are pieces of cork floating in the wine glass you are the morning after whose name I can’t remember still in my bed the hole in my rain boots vibrator with no batteries you are, shut up and kiss me you are naked wearing socks mascara bleeding down laughing cheeks you are the wrong guy buying me a drink you are the typo in an otherwise brilliant novel sweetalk into unprotected sex the married coworker my stubbed toe you are not new or uncommon not brilliant or beautiful you are a bad idea rock star in the back seat of a taxi burned popcorn top shelf, at half price you are everything I want you are a poem I cannot write a word I cannot translate you are an exit wound a name I cannot bring myself to say aloud””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Untitled, by Jeananne Verlee, 2023
The speaker lists a litany of irritating, painful, and absurd traits, portraying the subject as a collection of unwanted, chaotic experiences and a “bad idea.”
In simple terms: A chaotic list of annoying, painful, and absurd traits
Recognize and release toxic relationships
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- mental health
- self‑reflection
- boundary setting
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What patterns in your life feel like “bad ideas”?
- How can you transform irritation into insight?
Not all conflict is harmful; sometimes discomfort signals needed change