A Woman Wrapped in a Blanket Ponders a Paradox

author’s note:

Who is this woman?  Many of us, at least. I believe: most.  Including me.


A WOMAN WRAPPED IN A BLANKET PONDERS A PARADOX

As I sit, cozy on the sofa
I begin to ponder the paradox
of this knitted blanket--

I’m covered, but exposed:
these loops of yarn are wide enough
for a scorpion to pass through.
Yet I feel safe
under this scanty wrap:

I’ve found a way
to fool myself
but I think that’s okay--
because in the evenings
I need some relief

from a world outside
that constantly threatens me
with potential catastrophe.

The irony is:
I’ve gone through
most of my days unscathed--
so perhaps I’m also fooling myself
by being so afraid.

But I hear of so many tragedies--
sudden unforeseeable accidents

and even if I could persuade my head
not to waste so much energy in worry
I still couldn’t convince
the little mouse within
(I’ve tried, I’ve tried).

No, the mouse only responds
to the soft warm comfort
of this knitted blanket--

a fool’s peace, yes, but
when I’m thus enchanted
by the blanket
my attention shifts
and then I may begin
to worry about
the anxieties of others--
I wish the rest of the world
could feel this secure
at least once, each night.

I’d like to cover our planet
with a big knitted blanket.

What can I do in this world
what can I do
to knit at least a few
little patches?

My War for Peace: poetry ebook
Soultime: a novel
© 2021, Michael R. Patton

Another Battle Won

author's note:

"We have met the enemy and he is us."
       -- Walt Kelly, Pogo


ANOTHER BATTLE WON

Yesterday, as I skipped
down the sidewalk
I thought I glimpsed
a vulture circling!

and like a fool, I ran
ran again
without thinking

and as fools often do
I tripped--
tripped again
and hit

the hard ground hard

then found only empty sky above.

I tried to laugh
but as I lay on my back
I began to feel
my real adversary again--
the parasite of needless fear:

its chattering teeth
trying to devour
the will of my better desire--

I wanted to jump up and run!

But as I fought to find
the strength to stand
I woke again
to that other feeling--
a feeling buried deep:

so subtle, so quiet, yet so solid--

a knowingness that says: all is well
(despite what you think)

a knowingness beyond reason.

The parasite then lost its teeth
(for the moment at least)
and I stood up
and walked on...

another battle won.

© 2018, Michael R. Patton
my war for peace: poetry ebook