Mantra, by Timothy C. Takach (SSA)

Case Western Reserve University's University Chorale (SSA), conducted by Jessica Gallagher-Steuver, accompanied by Jialin Wang.
Vitamin D. Sunlight.
Go outside.
Get a good night
of sleep. Not too good.
Not shades drawn forever good.
Not like you used to.
Open the windows.
Buy more houseplants.
Breathe. Meditate. (One day,
you will no longer be
afraid of being alone
with your thoughts.)
Exercise. Actually exercise
instead of just Googling it.
Eat well. Cook for yourself.
Organize your closet, the
garage. Drink plenty of
water and repeat after me:
I am not a problem
to be solved. Repeat after me:
I am worthy I am worthy
I am neither mistake nor
the punishment.
Forget to take vitamins.
Let the houseplant die.
Eat spoonfuls of peanut butter.
Shave your head. Forget
this poem. It doesn’t matter.
There is no wrong way
to remember the grace of your
own body;
no choice
that can unmake itself.
There is only now, here,
look: you are already forgiven.
from Today Means Amen by Sierra DeMulder (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2016). Copyright © 2016 by Sierra DeMulder. Reprinted and used with permission from Sierra DeMulder.