A rung above anxiety
and below dread
on the ladder of negative sensations
produced by adrenalin
said the old woman
once it meant something was coming to get you
today it means you recognize
your mind is slowly turning to mush

I wish I knew what they meant by it
said the tulip
I can feel it coming off them like steam
yet here I am and I am simply happy
my meaty bulb is fixed in the warm earth
happiness keeps rising through my stem
the sun shines in my face
what can be wrong

Pain is frightening but the man in the white coat
is a very nice man said the dog
and they are stroking me
over and over on my belly
and gently pulling at my ears
the way I like
wait
get away from me with that silver thing