Tension

My neck’s knot has a tentacle that slithers along my spine

Each step taken sends it coiling about, digging into flesh and bone

Turning to an iron grip that brings me near to tears

Eyes close with a shuddered whimper as focus sets in

The rise of steam, the pummel of hot water as it coaxes

Soothing the sore, the tension to a higher state of relaxation

Just breathe, slow breaths

In through nose, out through mouth

And take in the clean scent of soap

Turn about and hold your breath

To let the deluge fall over your face

And shiver to the cold in back

For a moment a mother’s daughter

Laments at cluster of an adult break out

Clean and Clear then brush your teeth

Before smiling with wistfulness

Fond memory of an old scent

Madrinha used…uses? This lotion and now I do too

My bed harkens me to join it

To find solace and slumber

And the lavender field.

Please let me sleep

Not let it be

A question of not knowing

Do I dream too vivid?

Or lay and imagine

These things so weird

An old apartment building

Left instead of right

To want what is nearly the same

Heathens to the right

Animals down below

Gum as graffiti all on the wall

The dark is warmer than before

But do I sleep or lay awake?

And if I dream, why do I dream

Of cartoon bears that suddenly speak French.

Oh how and why did I understand?