By Wendy Norman

Skin protects body the industrious factory of life

Wearing a mask my Cheshire smile

Hiding the dark corners of my mind 

Positivity drips off my tongue biting negativity

Muscle and sinew clench and release in symphony

Shallow breaths of anxiousness escape my depths

Sighs of surrender threaten my stride

Keep moving my pendulum mantra chants inside

Weariness envelops my soul with layers of silt

Laden feet wearing hoofs of responsibility

Dragging the worries and sins of humanity

Labor and toil through shadowy tunnels

Light leaking to inky darkness

Am I just a machine….

Cheshire smiles