Everyday life takes its toll on me again,

I try to keep busy

So I don´t have to think

About anything big.

 

It´s fairly predictable, this being alone thing

I do the same stuff, mostly

I walk the dog

I avoid the kitchen

And I play loud music

So as not to hear my own thoughts.

 

But they´re so piercing and so insistent

And they´re so reproaching, too.

They follow me around everywhere

“Please, let me be!”

“No, we´re not through with you

You need to listen!”

 

Then I push the head phones

In my ears, until they hurt-

It reminds me of when I stuffed my nose

Full of corn, as a child

And it´s soothing.

 

Tomorrow I´ll be fine.

I´ll think of something

I´ll keep away from the kitchen

And won´t spill any water all over the sink.

 

December 2015