Headphones

Whenever life is dressed in stress

and waterlogged with pain; 

when days are proving sombre

and the nights are steeped in strain; 

when joy’s contorted in a box

whilst anguish is unfurled,

I put my headphones on

and I escape into my world.

Whenever stuff gets too intense

and worry drags me down;

when anger is just too immense

and torment takes my crown; 

when melancholy chokes my throat

I take a breath, and then

I put my headphones on

and I escape into my den.

It’s not a cure for everything.

It’s not a magic wand.

My spirit senses sorrow

but I know how to respond – 

I fix all that I can, and once

I’ve given all I’ve got,

I put my headphones on

until the Earth becomes

a dot.

Joshua Seigal