I awakened and looked at my phone.  The meeting time and place were set.  I was beginning to get nervous.  I had a drink of water and went for a run to calm my nerves and to think.  I headed north up 20th street towards San Vicente and then west towards Ocean.  The morning sun …

I try and move, But I’m slowed down, in an invisible mud, Fighting not to drown, But not a violent fight, No slashing, no thrashing, It’s  subtle plight, Slowly lashing, Bits of my soul, Are starting to crack, The foundations are giving, Is it strength that I lack? Is the fire too dim? My wisdom …

The noise is daunting, I fight to stay calm, To follow the melody, To sit and play on. I look at my sheet, strum the notes through, listen to the beat, the rhythm untrue, When will the curtains come down, Will I run out of time? If I stray from the page, With my own …