I can say no to things now
The traffic light visible through the storm
I can find my way through an hour
Without even a list to anchor me
My thoughts contained and not bubbling over
Clarity and discipline cut into the day.
One small blue pill in my mouth and things change.
It races a calming firestorm in me
Light cuts a line through the frenzied disco
A bright enough beacon to set out clearer paths
I feel it first as an aide to cleaning
Then as I drive with better focus than ever
And then fifty other elements
On this morning I can plan with ease
And buildup other points in time
Grasp sight of relevant outposts
Beyond the right-this-second
Feel the moments that are not glued to my hands.
And I wait to flip an egg and use the minutes
Cleaning the kitchen instead of voyaging across whole house
I stop myself talking once the point has been made
Leave for work on time
Work at daycare more smoothly
Lead the class through the hall straight
Talk without losing myself in the speech
See many details and now see the relevant ones most
Still a multitude in my thoughts
But a horde that walks now
Instead of dancing.
I have it
Only six hours each day
Each afternoon the signposts dim
I catch myself babbling again
Lost in movements
And see my words thoughts actions fumble
I stand jealous now of what I was three hours ago
When I felt at ease
And I had earned confidence
The texture more frantic
My deeds’ scattered lines push mind to evening sorrow
Eager to regain my ease tomorrow.
Jacob Glicklich
Jacob Glicklich is a childcare worker in Milwaukee, and an active member of Southshore Poets. He is a member of the synagogue Shir Hadash, a past volunteer for No More Deaths, and a past member of the Alliance of History Graduate Students at UW-Milwaukee. He and Sara Rahn have been married for seven years. These poems are the first that he has seen published.
Portage Magazine 