March 23: Present and Safe

While there are no longer 

saber-toothed tigers or 

giant hyenas or 

short-faced bears 

hunting humans, 

my brain still senses 

danger everywhere.

I scan my surroundings 

from left to right and see:

houseplants, a window curtain, 

a tapestry on the wall;

I press palms together 

and press feet into floor

and count to five; I breathe 

in through my nose

for four beats, hold for four, 

breathe out 

through my mouth for six;

and here I am, 

anchor dropped, 

present and safe.

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