Linear Thinking

In a world of black and white,

tied to a blanket of fear,

you are cushioned from direct contact

You must compartmentalize

   -thoughts

   -feelings

   -relationships

each in its own separate bundle

to be categorized and filed away

minimized, stripped down to its essence

vacuum packed, freeze dried, neatly labeled.

With too many connections, one tug

of the string could pull everything down.

The center will not hold

and the first tear could create an ocean,

deep enough to drown in.

Do not dare to dream

or you may come undone.

This is written for the wonderful image provided by Tess Kincaid at The Mag and also posted at Poets United Poetry Pantry.