I’m afraid of my mind,

Do you ever get that too?

Ever feel like the whole world

Is folding into itself,

Layer upon layer

Closing one valve after the next

Each vertebrae is getting heavier

With each poisoned breathe

Tired and put out

Crumpled papers

Washed up lies

Self-regard is everything

It’s not until you look within

That you see where all

the external troubles

– and pleasures, arise

The beauty we see in others is what is already inside ourselves

And even if you, like I, don’t see it yet

One day I hope we’ll see

The universe inside our souls

that many cling to claim

it be found

in our every breath