one slow blink of closed eyes

my back straightens as I read the caller ID on the ringing phone

my shoulders rise up in time with my breath

one heavy sigh, one slow blink of closed eyes

everything is fine

No stress, no nerves, no worries

No anger, no tears, no pain

everything is fine

hidden in the calm, consistent murmur of my voice on the phone

emotions straining it to a slightly higher pitch, a slightly smoother tone

desperate to break through, break down, break me

hiding from the voices on the other side of the line

hiding from the thoughts yelling at me from the inside

but I allow one heavy sigh, one slow blink of closed eyes

everything is fine