The What-Ifs

I see you
crawling
from under
the fingernail
you were pressed against.
Against that and the wall,
soften up a bit,
toughen up,
soften up a bit,
toughen up.

I can’t even tell
the difference
between the paths
you laid out
these days.

Why waste words
when you can
swallow it
and let it shelf
your need
to make the most
of your
post haste?

We’ll be crawling along
the molding
in no time,
tip-tapping
skittering
harder parts
of more
dangerous extremities.

I wish you’d say
what you’ve been
meaning to say,
since you had
worked up
the nerve
to ask me.

Spinal cord feelings,
but our fingertips
are feeling
heavy.
And we can’t say
yes
to everything
can we?

Let your hand
fall flat
by your side
and let your brain
stop
so much worrying.
The ‘what-ifs’
will drive you
crazy.