I Say That First Thing Every Morning When I Get Out of Bed and Look In the Mirror

The eyes. Even in photographs you can see
there's something off in em. I imagine this
is what they will remark
retroactively
if I wind
up a suicide. Something in the smile.
Too wide and wobbly.

The beard. Like my uncle.
Newfound determination. Mental
health starts at the breakfast table.

The unwritten,
unheeded rule for living: If something
makes you miserable,
stop. I could get
on an airplane. Easy. But airplane
to where? Discomfiture as usual.