Equilibrium (Poetry)

In order to preserve
those few precious scraps of sanity
I have left to me
I am seeking some quiet place for retreat
as far away as possible
from this too loud and over-complicated life
that’s wearing — tearing
me down.

I need a sanctuary
where calmness reigns —
both climatic and emotional —
and the temperature remains
unvaryingly moderate —
no dramatic change
to upset the fragile equilibrium.

I have an ideal house in mind
somewhere soothingly remote —
perhaps a small castle with a moat
full of monsterous fish —
giant golden carp
who I can feed my sorrows to —
those stress-sticky thoughts like crumbs
clinging to my fingers from sheer force of habit
might then all scatter free —
be swallowed without trace.

I imagine spacious dreaming rooms
church-peaceful in warm mellow light —
a haven always welcoming and safe
walls that I can trust unfailingly to keep
the oppressive world at bay.

Somewhere I can truly rest
at last untouchable
behind stout impenetrable doors
no strangers at the gate — the view forever clear
uninterrupted...
and cushioned calm grown comfortable enough
to last me endless solitudes.

In such a place
all aching wounds will ease
and scars begin to fade to nothing
the moment the world
can no longer
find me.