Fear

*Warning: I wrote this during a tough period last year, I would have nightmares and anxiety about school shooters/ intruders. So if you are sensitive to that, this might not be the best for you.*

They say

Nothing To Fear Nothing Will Happen

but when I sit at my desk and hear banging and shouting

There is something for me to fear.

if it's recess and I hear

a noise,

I am scared,

petrified.

My heart stops beating

And my lungs too

stop working

And I freeze.

I freeze as though one movement and

Bang

There I am.

Lying on the ground

Not the first

Not the last

In the bathroom,

I think

All the ways I could

Get out of here.

In class I hear chairs moving upstairs

Everyone Okay?

stares.

Everyone furious,

Don't Remind Me That Can Happen,

their stares say.

And I know.

I know I'm not the only one.

I'm not the first to freeze.

I'm not the first to worry.

I'm not the first to feel as if I am dying.

I'm not the last, either.

~Natalie

I write descriptive poetry for the imaginative and include original photos. I hope you enjoyed my writing! Post a comment if you have any ideas or questions!  For recipes and culinary writing, visit Cooking Under Quarantine, my cooking blog.