What Works Right Now

It's ten p.m. and I’m still here
on this tiny green plastic chair,
waiting for them to go to sleep,
guarding against bugs and monsters,
because this is all that works right now.

I’d dreamed of getting to bed early tonight—
tired body, tired mind, tired day—
and I still have a long list of chores to do
so I can face the next morning without panic.
But that will not work right now.

Stress burns in my chest and head
until I finally surrender
to the power greater than myself
which is reality
which is not my fault
which I cannot change
which carries me along like a river.
I’m just on the ride.

That is what works right now.