In the lexicon of my mind
Safety is my wordstock
It’s part of my coding.
One day at a time
One day at a time.

Unharmed impregnable safe safe safe.
These are the repositories, coffers, vaults i get behind.
When i string words in my head.
Strongboxes, Walls, doors …
Doors, that only i can open
A roof on my head.
But mostly walls.
One day at a time
One day at a time.

I always keep a bag on my lap
A bag on my lap
If you are in front of me
Some books and a file i will hold to my chest.
with my arms crossed over
Some books and files and one more bag next to me
If you choose to sit next to me
One metre away. Stay. Heel.

A fortress
A buffer
Ready to pull the ramparts up
Any time
Always in cringe-posture, perpetually ready for an attack.

Bags are safer
Books are sanctuary
Tables between people
Are the two feet distance you need
And, of course, to breathe and tell yourself, “One day at a time, one day at a time.”

~Vinitha (April 21, 21 days of non-stop poetry writing)
(Writing prompt: one day at a time)