Hide and Seek

Replace me with a wide screen television. Do not skimp on the audio. Nothing less than surround sound will suffice. Let the pixilation finer than grains of sand. Create a playlist of the most riveting entertainment. Docuseries, movies, reality shows, right down to a sitcom that has teeth. It may happen that upon a commercial break you begin to remember my likeness. If this happens, switch out my face for that of a spinning ball that must be caught, struck, or blocked in some manner. The meticulous rules on how and when this ball comes into play will utterly drain any fading recollection my cloudy eyes. The minutia over acceptable possessions will hypnotize with endless replay spectacles. Should the vigorous debates that ensure during slow motion fail to arrest your mind, and you may feel my phantom touch. This is treatable. Do not lose heart. Open your cupboard, and prepare a table of sweet and savory dishes. Short recipes must proceed the longer ones. This way your mouth is always minutes away from an extasy of flavor. Fetch the spices that come out of your pores after consumption. Fry, boil, and steam. Yet, no one can eat forever. Far be it from me to orchestrate a needless belly ache. While tiptoeing the balance beam of satiation and nausea, you may detect my sent. When this occurs, run to the gymnasium. Sweat out the residue of my influence. Power cleans, lunges, sit-ups, pushups, squats, and down right panic sprints. Every one of your muscles will burn. Immobilized and breathless on the cold floor, you may hear my faint voice. Let the peace of earned sleep sweep over your fatigued body. Maybe your dreams will be more forgiving and offer a playground free of my silhouette. You know better. The bombs I planted in your subconscious will go off even before the first sheep is counted. Lick the toad and I will dial poison control. Drown and I will resuscitate. Run and I will catch. Escape and I will net. Despair and I will hope on your behalf.