off. out. away

unplug
retreat
lock the door
turn off the tv
shut down the phone
get away
run away
hide away
shut it out
lock it out
shut it out
drown it out
blow it out
let it out

waiting

so much stress
a laugh quickly turns to tears.
a glass of whiskey
sweet with a bite as it goes down.
a desperate attempt
to fight back the tears and numb the stress.
a mind that races
an aching back and a chest tight as a drum.