by Yevgeniya Przhebelskaya

my therapist Sophia shares
her morning ritual of giving thanks
while I scribble these verses on the margins of my notes

the many cares of the world
are multiplying like the spotted lanternflies
on the narrow path outside my door

I wish I knew how to get rid of them
before each fly gives birth to 100 worries
I stomped on one, but the 99 flew into a bright red dance

today, I feel thankful to walk
on the narrow path between the lanterns and the lanternflies
one courageous stomp at a time

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Yevgeniya Przhebelskaya is a freelance writer who explores the themes of mental health, parenting, and Christian faith in her writing. Her poems have been published in Amethyst Review, Ancient Paths Online, Ekstasis, Spirit Fire Review and many other publications, and were nominated for the Pushcart Prize two times. Yevgeniya lives with her husband and their son in New Jersey.