Taking a couple seconds…  

It’s the stop-you-in-your-tracks
can’t-do-a-goddamned-thing
deer-in-the-headlights-as-the-locomotive-comes-bearing-down-at-you
paralyzing fear

It’s only a couple seconds at a time

The rest of the world is oblivious
even the ones that know
aren’t concerned enough
to hold you and tell you it will be okay

Just a couple seconds at a time

What if it’s not the fear
but a deeper defect
an infection gone undetected?

A couple seconds at a time

A permanent condition
broken up for a couple seconds at a time…

A couple seconds

The rest of the world is oblivious
or passively mercenary—
sometimes the best revenge
is to leave them stupid

Well, that’s what I’ve always said…

(3 February 2018)