Take a deep breath
you had your feet

kicked out from under you
the wind knocked

out of you
were caught

by surprise.

In nightmares
you take the part

of the torturer
torturing
yourself

for the mess in the coat closet
that isn’t even yours

the human need
to protect
disallowed
in your anxiety.

You should not drink
so much coffee.

Should you try
to care less?