Don't

Don’t tell anyone. Yet.
They don’t need to know.
They already know. Maybe
knowing is overrated. But slippery
are the slopes of ignorance.

Don’t listen to them.
They’re screaming in your ears.
At night, they softly whisper
your denial back into you.
Keep the headphones on.

Don’t cry yourself to sleep.
Try to forget the dreams
you wake up with. Rub off
the unblinking day residues.
Watch yourself closely.

Don’t underestimate a shower.
Let your skin breathe water.
The rising envelope of steam
comes close to oblivion.
Momentary, until one day.

Don’t stay in your room.
Blinding sunlight can be as
anonymising, even if, less
charming, as the lunar dark.
Trust a good pair of shades.

Don’t fight your instinct
for numbness. It has its uses.
Who knew Spiegel im Spiegel
could be comforting at midnight?
Results may vary if you try again.

Don’t be fooled by your silences.
Their weight is not wisdom.
For now, dwell in your inadequacy,
Let it enfold you. Until like Bukowski,
either peace or happiness does.

Just don’t tell anyone.