Paranoid

Para from the Greek: irregular

Noose from the Greek: mind

From the Greek Paranoos:

distracted

Certainly,

Paranoia is distracting

my mind no longer my own.

Now a child shoots layups with it, dribbles

it for sport.

Now keepaway, tongue out, chanting:

Nah nah na nah nah.

Is there such a thing as a regular mind?

I think so, though I may be the only one

to tell

which of my minds is more

regular.

you too.

And,

have you ever noticed how sometimes the irregular mind feels more regular-

the path weller-worn?

Like a favorite sweater full of holes. a thing

no longer functioning and yet,

still functional.

I wrap my grandmother's shawl

tighter around

my shoulders, sip my tea gone cold

and pray the aging chamomile to wash my fears away.