through the first layer of numb fear
I wake turn knowingly
to the door’s slow swing
to the mad eyes burning
the grim smile
curving along the glinting edge

the room rushes inwards
I roll with the lunge
and freeze
with fear even
my mind to numb
to move my back
bared to the o
to the sharp to the
cold incision relaxed
and compliant plunge
in the quick rush
to still the beating
beating life there

reduce it to stone

the sharp sting wakes me fully
to the dark room and the closed door
and the clock tickings counting
the expectant stillness

waves in the wake of a faint echo
crash in the beads of sweat on my brow

and my eyes glow with rapture
as I sink back to the dark maze
to roam the terrifying corridors
of my own mind