@3 AM (the whole body ritual)

art by Walter Koessler

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@3 AM (the whole body ritual)

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It’s 3 AM and my bladder twinges awake for my walk in the dark to the toilet

don’t flick the switch to shock the brain

it’s pelvis time, not eyes

then it’s hand time to sanitize tender membranes

and plunk the water to cleanse the bowl

ear time to listen to the plumbing

toe time to arise safely from sitting to standing and timing the flusher handle

knee time to walk back to bed in the dark

arm time to flip the blanket open to climb under

and finally pillow time again

reset, renew and fortify

the soul!