Sickness of Fear

She lies in bed Too afraid to reach out And touch the lamp Too afraid to hope She sinks into the darkness. Fear can kill. For her it’s murder. She closes her eyes and opens them quickly Scared the night will take her And she chants to herself Her last rites Eyes wide open Endless thoughts, unspoken on her lips. Nature upsets the night And for her it’s a death rattle. She pretends not to listen, Yet feels it seep beneath the window Poisoning her mind. Her eyes are closed Longer than they are open She can smell the earth now Her coffin collapsing She wants to scream she’s still awake. But the night has taken her Silenced her screams Buried her… She breathes deep Her last breaths Before she sleeps.