I start my day at the computer

opening my writing from yesterday 

I delete everything

I advance the date to today

the screen is now blank

Its a signal to clear my mind completely

I wait patiently for a passing thought

I let the first few thoughts go by unmolested

I can see them clearly but choose to ignore them

like strangers walking down the other side of the street

the traffic between us is heavy and noisy

then suddenly an interesting thought appears

moving quickly along the other side

I must wait for a gap in the traffic

I eventually cross over and chase after him

he ignores my pleas to slow down 

escaping my grasp before he disappears forever

this side of the street is empty now

the other side is crowded with attractive thoughts

I must return to the other side

I see a small gap and take a huge risk

running fast between speeding vehicles

I reach the other side out of breath

I confront a thought who stares at me in disbelief

what the hell do you want with me he demands

I need you for a poem I explain

hell no he says as he dashes into the busy street

brakes squeal and cars swerve to avoid him

he jumps back in front of me in a cold sweat

we make eye contact for a brief moment before he whispers to me

better to live forever in your poem than die escaping it