Up — shooting through a plane of anxiety,
Swirling neurons spasm and thrash and trash my body.
Down, up, up, down, ascending severity
I pray to all deities: Allah, Krishna, God, please.
—
In between known and unknown, life and death,
Relying on periodic updates, in-flight service,
The quickening of pulse, the shortening of breath,
Extremities shutting down as reason falls into the crevice.
—
The mind cannot concentrate
On this task or that;
We instead pontificate
Like a maze-crazed rat:
Have I gained too much weight,
Do people think I’m fat?
I cannot go on an in-person date,
They’ll think that I’m dull and flat!
What news today will stoke up the hate?
I welcome such distraction over the welcome mat.
Any addictions, the body will sate
At the expense of the soul, that dirty, disregarded hat.
I cannot focus, got too much on my plate.
Won’t take another swing, too tired for another at-bat.
—
Am I resigned to this fate,
Or could I escape my past?
—
Down, down, down, up-quick, down — a roller coaster
With no one at the helm, all hell breaking loose.
Our life has become a faded film poster
Cut into strips, fitted as a noose.
—
It’s time to take power back, to no longer be a coaster;
We must remember our strength, our ability to choose.
—
Despite the turbulence,
We don’t have to be fractured piece by piece;
We can achieve presence
And breathe into the space known as peace.
I heal, I coach, I write poetry. Want to be well and unlock your Self? Let’s create some conscious magic together!
