{#npm’17: dysania is a terrible truth}

I have been struggling to get out of bed lately. On Thursday, I swore I’d do it on Friday. On Friday, I decided that Monday was soon enough. I will get up. I will. Eventually. Soon.

I carried this poem tucked into the clear cover of my binder, all through college. People thought it was a joke…

Today

by Jean Little

TODAY I will not live up to my potential.
TODAY I will not relate well to my peer group.
TODAY I will not contribute in class.
    I will not volunteer one thing.
TODAY I will not strive to do better.
TODAY I will not achieve or adjust or grow enriched
     or get involved.
  I will not put my hand up even if the teacher is wrong
    and I can prove it.

TODAY I might eat the eraser off my pencil.
     I’ll look at clouds.
     I’ll be late.
     I don’t think I’ll wash.

I NEED A REST.

[from Hey, World, Here I Am! 1986]

2 Replies to “{#npm’17: dysania is a terrible truth}”

  1. Dysania is totally new to me — had to google it! I’ve never been a morning person and often struggle to get going, but I don’t think anxiety is part of it for me.

    Now that poem takes on a whole new meaning. . .

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