It's crowded in my head

It's crowded in my head
My work -the chapters I have to write
Characters from books I'm reading
jostling for space
Winston Smith and Miep Gies now
My philosophical leanings
On the world we live in
And the wretches we all are
My own fears rising
Knowing
I'm not a good mother
Competing with
Cut yourself some slack
I'm not exercising
I suck as a boss

Breathe.
Drink coconut mocha
Get to work
Shove these thoughts aside
As I do papers at my desk
Clear some space for the work of now
Deal with the rising tide of papery thoughts
Later
I'll never be able to catch up with the kids