Rude Awakening

I awaken to a thump, thump, thump
The sound of a restless heartbeat
My breath holds shallow, as if it’s running out of time
And immediately my mind searches for tasks and problems to finish and solve

Instant activation of the senses
No acclimation from the dream world to the “real”
No chance to dissolve into the day

I awaken to a thump, thump, thump
An abrupt, unfair acknowledgement of the challenge that awaits me
You would think this means I’m “ready”
But in fact it’s more like dreading
Lifting my head, and chest
Swiveling my legs to meet the floor
Floating clumsily down spiral stairs to the object of my morning reprieve

I fill the water and the grounds
Dumbly watch the elixir drip down
And thank manufacturers for installing a sensor
So I can pour myself a cup before the pot is done

And on this impatient note the day has begun
With unhelpful chatter ringing in my ears
Feet and brain rushing to conform to the timeline of corporate society
Heart beating to the tune of anxiety
Thump, thump, thump…