</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Quote: Always do what you are afraid to do.
Author: Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882, American Poet, Essayist

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Thanks, Echoes.

In spirit of the quote that Echoes posted, and all the things that we do to support this notion, I am feeling as though I want to try the dreaded psychoanalytic couch today. I wanna do it PinkSoil-Style-- no discussion, impulsive, an element of shock. Just get right on it. Besides... if T and I are gonna discuss those poems, there is no way I'm gonna want to look at him. Not this time.

There was a poet called Julio Cortazar. He wrote a series of poems entitled "Instructions..." They were all instructions on how to do various things (climb a staircase, wind a watch, etc.). In my writing workshop, we had to create our own "instructions" poem. This is mine. It is also one I passed to T:

Instructions on how not to cry in front of your analyst

Begin with a comment such as: these neuroleptics are killing me. Don’t go into a great amount of detail, as symptoms can be a dangerous topic. Assess beforehand, how much the sickness has gotten to you. Are you particularly uncoordinated? Have you hit the floor before noon? If so, don’t mention a thing. And don’t make the mistake of talking about your mother. Speak of death as if it’s an inconvenience. If you have taken a sharp object to yourself in the past week, make certain that you do not disclose this information any sooner than five minutes before you walk out the door. Pretend your dreams have no relevance. There are occasions in which you may inadvertently slip into a discussion of your recklessness. It as at this point that you must remember, there are no coincidences. If this does occur, do not become hysterical. Simply detach yourself through systematic revision. Silently congratulate yourself for allowing object relations to %#@&#! you up. You are here because you are disconnected; perhaps even gifted. You have a serious talent for being disengaged. Do not be careless with it. Always consider the notion of space. Most likely, there will be too much of it. If you should begin to deteriorate, disassemble all parts immediately. Realize that it is unfortunate to be caught naked, but not viable to close the distance.