Poem: Thousand Thoughts
Sometimes there are so many
Thoughts in my head
Whirling around in a maelstrom
Making it difficult to breathe
Caught amidst my thousand thoughts
One leads to a surge, a sequence of others
And suddenly, an explosion
No longer able to let go
Forcing itself to the foreground
Demanding attention
They can upset me, distract me
From falling asleep. Even if I know
They are not real. Out of control
Still, impossible to ignore
Enormous effort to stop
Heart racing, breath quickening
Thought after thought
Following consequences
Of pointless pictures
Painted in my head.
They are relentless. Just keep coming
Stop it, I say, but they don’t listen.
Be still, my head. Get out
Destructive power.
Leave my mind.
Sleep won’t come
Thoughts are too strong
So I tell myself stories
Try to change the outcome
Keep…
