Anoetic

Torso clenched for its arrival

brain says stay, flee, run, remain -

freeze, numb indecision, shorten

breath and pulse slowed to deaden

face gritted for survival

widen and fix the eye

arms and legs go missing in inaction

jaw and fists tightened to shudder

vice of teeth

animal trap

snap, snap

tears tidal tie me down until

this has passed

hold on, hold fast,

make it, keep it 

unthinkable.

Image from pixabay.