The Brain is a Funny Organ

We use it to tell our bodies what to do

Raise our heads, wash our hands

move our limbs any direction we need to.

lie or sit, or kneel, or stand.

There are so many pieces at work

Dry our eyes, clean our face

from wiggling toes to a grinning smirk. make the tears disappear without a trace.

Sensors signal nerves to stand on alert

Arrange our mouths into a flashy smile

decide whether to assert or divert. stash away the hurt for a little while.

Make a choice to respond with a fight And when the pain seems too much to take

or choose to take your body into flight. you find some peace in a warm embrace.


Amy Shankle is based in Bakersfield, California. She is currently studying English and works as a freelance copyeditor. She regularly writes poetry surrounding her own struggles with anxiety and depression and is actively working on a collection of poetry inspired by mental health disorders. She strongly feels that we all see the world in a unique light, and that we should all aspire to help others realize we are not alone and we are not to blame. The currents of our minds might be strong, but we can calm them even if we have to ride those waves for awhile.

#fight #flight #peace #embrace #tears #bodies #brain #nerves #sensors #signals #pain #work #smile