Julie Dymon
Mind Attack
A choking sensation wakes me at three a.m.
My breathing shallows from a crushing weight
as I hear my son cry out in strained, partially muted terror.
Struggling to get up, my mind prepares me to fight or run.
My breathing shallows from a crushing weight
as palpitations cause sweat to boil from my flushed pores.
Struggling to get up, my mind prepares me to fight;
breaking free from fear‘s paralysis, I run to my son‘s room.
Palpitations cause sweat to boil from my flushed pores while
I attack the air between my son and me. Ready to protect
him, I break free from fear‘s paralysis and reach his bed, yet
my heart has run away with my mind and I steady my breath so they will return to me.
I attack the air between my son and me. Beating away the nightmare with a quiet song, I hear
my son cry out again in strained, partially muted terror.
My heart has run away with my mind and I wait for them both to return to me, calm,
after a choking sensation awoke me at three a.m.