Talk Radio, 2 am

I’m driving home from the ER,

not ready for sleep, eaten up

by memories of my mistakes,

a man on the radio telling me

not to worry because I can learn

to control my mind. He says

thoughts are like puppies

we can paper-train and teach

to be obedient. He says

one day that puppy will calm down,

cuddle up, and lick my face.

But who is this guy kidding?

My mind isn’t a puppy tonight-

it’s a wild tiger,

and it’s ripping out my heart.