self-regulating freeze state

by jp thorn

i used to write easy,

concise, beautiful

ambiguous yet to-the-point poetry.

these days

i am so wordy

not as worldly as i’d like

so i’ll let gravity do its job

           & ground me,

Image credit: Wix

how blinking brings

homeostasis, replace

the subconscious pout 

for the matter of being here, now

every inhale another

reminder that a brain

never really sleeps, it

sometimes fights back

constantly changing chameleon

neon stock exchange banner

displays mixed news of the body

patch glazed with memories

& paid advertisements

value-dependent on the day

we move at a decimal’s pace

.imagine

the mind.

now a set of turntables

with 200 different buttons

create infinite sounds

call yourself conductor

maybe maestro

when on the spot &

trying not to freeze up

picture the symphony

en pointe, moving your body

gaze held through pursed lips

composing song in real time

you’ll listen to every sound,

each instrument simultaneously

fading them in, then out

this guidance of cacophony

   could make a man cry

***

jp thorn

jp thorn is a queer, neurodivergent artist raised in & returned to the bible belt. advocate for destigmatization & radically open communication, their work is inspired by humanness, reframing traditionalism, therapeutic processes, unlearning patriarchy, identity, & global patterns. you can find more of their work here