keep a bag of clothes in the car or at a friend’s house or under the stairs

keep spare keys or always have an unlocked window you can crawl through

or a rock to break that window

 

shave dollars from the weekly groceries or sell books or plasma

tell friends your plans. tell yourself your plans   whisper it

but not in your sleep, when she sleeps like a stone

 

but still listens, sure your secrets will reveal themselves from your lips

listen enough to what you are being told so that you can prepare your face,

your body not to respond if possible, forget all that you can   stay calm

 

find the quiet within you   circle it with a fire   then molten glass 

chains   a moat   that dream you had

of a pleasant afternoon drive

the wind in your hair