the tingling moves up my arm
my heart is thumping on my sternum
screaming to be let out
my stomach wails like a cat
every gurgle of my intestines
warning what’s to come
my brain knows the threat is real
sounds all the alarms shuts down what’s not
keeping me alive
to go about my day feels
like sleeping through a fire alarm
like plugging my ears
so I won’t: I’m back in bed.
my body’s systems quiet, relax.
but I’m still in here.