I had a haircut yesterday. The chair
was pumped to handy height, and I conversed
as commas fell. I like the people there
and thought I was relaxed, at least at first,
but when my stylist placed a steady palm
upon each shoulder, pressing down and back
against the chair, I knew I wasn’t calm –
without a word I understood her act.

A gentle pressure to my back or chest
is more effective than an expert’s speech
for treatment when I’m tensed and over-stressed.
Massaging fingers locate and beseech
my muscles to relax, my spine to ease.
In quiet, I can hear my body’s pleas.