99 Poem by RIC BASTASA

overcoming a writer's block

Stretch!
If you can't stand up,
stretch as many muscle groups
as possible while
staying seated.

Try tensing and
releasing various
muscle groups.
Starting from your toes,
tense up for perhaps
five to ten seconds
and then let go.

Relax and
then go on to
another muscle group.

Breathe deeply.
Close your eyes;
then,
fill your chest cavity
slowly by taking
four of five short deep breaths.

Hold each breath
until it hurts,
and then let it
out slowly.

Use a calming word
or mental image
to focus on while relaxing.

If you choose a word,
be careful not
to use an imperative.
Don't command
yourself to

'Calm down! '

or 'Relax! '