My mental health requires time and space
to be alone, away from folk and noise,
when I can bide in my internal place
and let release the power it enjoys
to synthesize the purchase of each sense,
attend the rhythm of the inner sphere,
ignore the nagging, disengage the tense,
and feel my rapids chase the currents clear.

It takes awhile to unknot my neck.
I have to pay attention to my tongue
against my palate – I’ve been known to wreck
my lower face with clenching. I’m not young
and I can’t mend as thoroughly as then –
I think I need some time alone again.