Thousand Thoughts – Tags: Caz C. Cole, Curiosity, Effervescence, Mental Landscapes, Mindfulness, Overthinking, Self-Acceptance

Poetry

A never-resting, ever-exploring, curious mind

Sometimes there are so many
thoughts in my head
Whirling around in a maelstrom
making it difficult to breathe
Caught amidst my thousand thoughts.

One leads to a surge, a sequence of others
And suddenly, an explosion
No longer able to let go
Forcing itself to the foreground
Demanding attention.

They can upset me, distract me
from falling asleep. I know
they are not real. Yet out of control
Still impossible to ignore
Enormous effort to stop.

Heart racing, breath quickening
Thought after thought
Following consequences
Of unbidden pictures
Painted in my head.

They are relentless. Just keep coming
Stop it, I say, but they don’t listen.
Be still, my head. Get out
Destructive power.
Leave my mind.

Sleep won’t come
Thoughts are too strong
So I tell myself stories
Try to change the outcome
Keep my frustration under control

It’s all in your head, they say
Not real. But do they know
How to hush what’s
running through their heads?
Is it bad to think too much?

Better to think than just be
Even if it means so many thoughts
Unanswered questions, theories
And streams out of control.
I’d rather take my thousand thoughts.

And with that thousandth one
A calm comes over me. I’m okay
They are proof of the effervescence
Of my never-resting, ever-exploring, curious mind.
Secretly, I’m proud of me.

— Caz C. Cole

© 2026 Caz C. Cole