as i get
older
my obsessive
tendencies
become worse
while my
ability to
recognize
when they
come on has
gotten a
touch better
at least
allowing me
to try and
force an exit

i balance
breaking from
mental loops
of pervasive
thoughts through
careful routine
picking out
healthier options
to obsess over

usually
it is music
or reading
sylvia daily
lately it is
honey oat granola
with dried fruit
which sounds
relatively fine
until i cook
all day for
the kids
only to eat
the granola
because the idea
of breaking the
steadiness can
only lead to
breaking down

it is all just
a matter of
finding the path
back from out
of the darkness
one wobbly step
after another
writing as a way
to chain lightning

if you don’t
strive to protect
your peace then
you willingly
sacrifice it
to the hungry
hungry hippos who
only exist to
sow seeds of discontent