Obsessions

Take nothing for granted, she said.

 

Each morning you crawl out of bed;

I rise from the ashes and go sorting

out my bones just to begin the day.

 

You pour coffee and toss out

sleeping words you won’t remember;

I drop stones from my tongue and

pick them up when I’m finished.

 

I fold blankets perfectly from end to end

for the empty house to enjoy,

I straighten photographs

no one notices anymore,

 

I open and close blinds until

sunlight greets me at the perfect angle

 

but still

 

I can’t stop

these uneasy waves

in my chest.