Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it.”
―René Descartes

Unplanned and
Without warning,
As I struggled
In finding my way
Through the morass
This year has created
Of my life,
I was abruptly thrown
Into the cold, deep end
Of Reality's Pool.
Like pulling a white wool string
And finding a black sheep,
It's proven that
The problem I've been trying
To overcome is, in fact,
A carbuncle of problems,
All clambering for attention,
Making too many demands
For my single mind to meet.
So it's time to step back
And call in reinforcements,
Not to get me out of trouble
But to act like harbor pilots
Who know the waters
And the treacherous shoals
And who can guide me through
To open seas.
Sometimes the worst thing I can do
Is nothing but hide,
Cringing in a corner.
Sometimes I have to take a stand,
Own up to my mistakes,
Do what I can to correct them,
And get on more competently
With my life.

c. 2023