Fred Aiken Writing

February 28, 2024

self-help delusion///or deluded help-self

sometimes i like to tell myself that i can help myself,
as if i could give myself a helping hand,
or shake my hand,
or a gentle hug,
but i have trouble expressing myself to, well,
myself, so i get tongue-tied standing in front of the mirror
wondering what i should say, or if it’s even appropriate to say anything,
given all that i know about myself

February 27, 2024

dramatic anxiety//tax season

i have this dramatic anxiety 
that i need to rush to get my taxes filed
months before they’re due,
like it’s some sort of exam,
and the longer i wait, the more likely i’m to get a
failing grade, aka an audit for my shenanigans

February 26, 2024

train of thought//and it’s gone

a line of thought came up to me
and said, you did the thing,
and i asked what,
but before the thought could answer,
i had forgotten where it went