Fear's Weight
Last night I had a dream about the apocalypse.
I don't remember it exactly now,
but I still have that same feeling.
It tells me danger is close.
In the dream, it was just outside the door.
Once, years ago, I lay next to a girl
and vividly imagined a clawed hand
come from under the bed and take me.
I didn't know where I went, but I was afraid
for a long time afterward.
I lay awake in the dark wondering
if she was asleep, thinking of the hand.
It was much larger than I am.
When it took me, it left her there, alone.
Today a woman who doesn't know me
accused me of not listening.
I am always listening. Know that.
I always care, and so I fear.
It makes me heavy, but I am still alive.
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