Compulsions unusual,

but obsessions are common

when young.

Blank paper

handed to me by a teacher,

became a toy.

Being manipulated

before shaping

into a taco.

If the paper

had assignments on it

I moved beyond the taco.

Scratching the concentrated words,

abundant like obsessions themselves.

In order to comprehend.

When I had a question

I stood up until

my knees cracked,

clicking like gears.

Despite me only hearing,

I knew I understood,

only if it happened.

If I didn't obsess enough,

coming home was more difficult.

An older brother I was sure,

wanted to hurt me.

I feared his chainsaw

would sever my body.

Compulsions

alleviated obsessions

as I felt pressure

of anxiety drowning me.

Contrary to my family’s belief,

OCD isn’t just being neat.