Just one sip of water please

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry

Have you ever wanted to swat away anticipation like
a mosquito buzzing around your head in the dead of night?

Don’t you loathe how it makes you feel?
Correction…how you allow yourself to react?
Reactions in any circumstance inform consequences.

You and I have a choice, but sometimes,
our own beloved minds and bodies conspire.

Courage is yanked out from under you like a rug.
Nerves in your body join forces, jumping out of control.

And when your mouth dries up? Words become stuck
as though they’ve plunged into quicksand, one by one –
any resolve begins to sink.
Your throat feels dry as dust. Just one sip of water please.

Maybe if you and I focus on staying calm, yes, staying calm,
keeping our heads level…

Maybe then, our thirst would be quenched.

© Lauren Scott

*Side note: A young, handsome paramedic once told me
years ago in the wee hours of the morning
that staying calm is key in any situation.
I’ll never forget his sage advice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

Website: baydreamerwrites.com
Author Of The Month, May 2023 Spillwords Press
Publication of the Month,
October 2024 “Treats only, Please!” Spillwords Press
Monthly Contributor, Gobbers-Masticadores Literary Website
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08NCRH4MK
Author Latest Release Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems
Author, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose
Author, Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poems
Author, New Day, New Dreams: A Poetry Collection
Co-Author, Petals of Haiku
Co-Author, This is How We Grow
Co-Author, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Cora’s Quest, A children’s book, coming soon!

75 thoughts on “Just one sip of water please”

  1. It must be something about young handsome paramedics. They must have all the wisdom in the world. Ha, ha. I had to travel to Florida a few years ago for work. My wife went along. She loved the idea of getting away. I’m in the middle of a meeting. She’s at the pool and falls and breaks her hand. The young paramedic who takes care of her gives a course on how to remain calm in the heat of the moment. My wife is bummed about the break but loving being taken care of by such a wise (and I ultimately get it out of her) handsome paramedic. Ha, ha. Must be the good looks. Ha, ha.

    1. Yep, there’s something about those good-looking paramedics, Brian! I still remember when they arrived. I’m sure I looked like hell, pain racking through my body. Honestly though, I was too uncomfortable to worry about anything else, and they were super nice! So kudos to the paramedics and to staying calm! Thanks for sharing your story!

  13. Wise words, Lauren, and pertinent to today’s (11/4/24) events. May calm minds and hearts rule the day and produce compassionate outcomes. 😊

  14. Staying calm is great advice. Sometimes tough to follow through with it in trying times.

    A friend of mine, who’s a big Taylor Swift fan, wears a t-shirt that says “You need to calm down” at meetings about contentious matters. Bit of a brat, with a good heart.

    1. I agree, Steve. Though staying calm is good advice, it is hard to implement at times. And I laughed at your Taylor Swift comment because I’ll often break into that song when it’s appropriate. My family gives me their eye rolls. 🙂 I’m not a Swifty, but I do commend her for her business acumen, and many of her songs are fun or magical! Thanks for the smile; I needed one today. 🤗🎶 And thanks for chiming into the conversation!

  24. He gave you great advice Lauren, last year when my mom was very ill she has COPD, I had to call an ambulance for her more than once, staying calm was essential when I was calling, so I know all about that. X

    1. I know, it is difficult to do, and I’ve been trying real hard this week. I’m not shocked, but disappointed. More to say, but I’ll stop here. 🙂 I’m glad you appreciated this poem and message. Thank you, Curt!

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