Ode to Distraction Poem by Elaine Equi

Give me something
not to pay attention to
and I'm happy.

Some things
grow better
with neglect—

spring up when the mind
is elsewhere.

A strange, wild flower
that doesn't care
for compliments.

It is also good to be lost
in some simple activity
you have no interest in.

Just as there is art for art's sake,
why not a pure form of distraction?

One says: "I love you to distraction"
meaning, in a way, I can't stand
to actually see or think of you.