September Poems (2023)

Sian Beilock

Butterflies in my stomach;
I frequently feel this way.
Breathe, breathe—
I know the material,
I know the outcome.
Even if you choke
you can use your mistakes in
your new life.

What a day,
I'm exhausted
(and I hope that doesn't make me sound incoherent),
I need to just focus on the present,
on today—
have fun with it, and not
let my worries about tomorrow
seep in.

Did it work?