i jumped. it was the toaster this time. nerves of steel. i hand the waffle to my daughter. "dad (looking me over)--you are really bad at fashion." that's the tip of the iceberg.

people are circles. the outside circle is our behavior. the next circle is our thoughts. inside that, our feelings. at the center there is supposed to be something else, something more lasting and substantial. a light, our soul, awareness, something. and that's what we really are.

but what if this center goes unused or unnoticed for so long that it disappears. or the outer circles take on such exaggerated shape and importance it becomes obliterated.

i have no center. i jump when the toaster pops. what am i.