It can be tricky when the universe has your back.

Sometimes, It will snicker in your ear
and when you whip around to confront it
It’s nowhere to be found
and you’re alone
again
waiting
again
struggling
again

Sometimes, It will find you on a set of stairs
clumsy as you are
It will tap you on the shoulder
throw off your balance
maybe even give you a good shove
just to see if you know It’s really there
and It is
always there
waching
you
testing
you
nudging
you

Sometimes, It will pull you with a giant bear hug
claw at your essence
grip you with boa constriction force
(ever the shape-shifter)
reassuring you that Its presence is natural, strong
your lungs exapand and contract
and each time you exhale
It clenches tighter
your breath escapes
your lungs cannot fully inflate
your panic sets in
you
are
defeated

Sometimes, It will punch you in the gut
hard
like the schoolyard bully proving his worth
with blows pummeling your tiny body
you can’t cry
because strength
before
honor
before
defeat
before
humiliation

Sometimes, It sets your room on fire
after It dismantles the smoke detector
you choke on interrupted dreams
that escape you
that taunt you
that create you

Sometimes, It will surprise you
with a gentle caress
lulling you into a false sense of security
in the warm afternoon sun
in a stranger’s patient smile
in a resurgence of hope

It can be tricky when the universe has your back

Sometimes.