My stomach is in New York
My mouth in Abu Dhabi
My sneakers walk unsteadily on
Sidewalks that shift like sand
My ears ring.
The distance between myself and
Those to whom I speak
Has grown
And there’s that hum again.
Only chocolate bridges the gap.
To get out of bed in the morning is to
Feel disappointment and confusion like
Blankets that are too heavy and hot.

— Elizabeth Swados