Rolled out and saw dawn’s bright grey, one spin from dizzy

Walked to the living room lit a cig, took two drags, nearly puked

Slight static tingle morphed to full on aura that zapped my entire nervous system

Nature’s own electroconvulsive therapy

Thankful for fortitude to let the dog out in boxer briefs no less

Collapse on couch until the anxiety of calling in overwhelms

Light and sound singe the nerves to my stomach signaling a process not unlike a washing machine cycle.

Let all the right people know that I will not be there

Pop a Klonopin, two Lamictal, follow with a tall Pizza Express cup of ice water

Collapse again, pull the Martha Stewart comforter over my head, pray for silence

Sleep for ten hours