The split second
before waking from a falling-dream
wind-stricken, lungs vacant
unable to scream
certain you won’t make it.
Like the distance between your car and the front door
In a cold sleet storm
or the sting of a shower stream
before it gets warm.
i stay falling.
The sleet hits my back
day out and in
till it turns to
scabs, then
scales, then
chunks
of red skin