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I Know What It's Like

I used to have a recurring dream
In it, I was running 
I mean, I was attempting to flee 
From a man with a gun
Who tried to shoot me
Terror was gripping me
When my legs went numb, and I stumbled
Then he closed the distance between us

His eyes were full of anger and
sheer panic tore me from under 
those deep bonds of slumber
Still, I dare not go directly back to sleep
Because I know he is still waiting 
in the shadows of my next dream
But this time, awake and aware
It was neither a dream nor a nightmare
But there I was right in the midst

I know what it is like to die
Now, I know it can occur anytime
As the sun climbs upon the sky
Then, the world turns into darkness
That it did with me, at least
When a large handgun he raised 
and aimed it at my face
I no sooner looked down the barrel
then, it suddenly burst into flames
He stood several feet ahead
in that moment, I knew I would be dead

That’s when everything went dark
Except something happened 
that shattered the eternal sleep
It was me, and I heard myself screaming
Then I knew I was yet alive
If I wanted to keep breathing
I knew I had to think and
I must get moving quickly

Never before could I imagine 
myself in such a predicament
I am safety conscious
and we reside in the High Desert 
with relatively low crime rates
Moreover, I am a single mother
I have three small individuals 
who depends upon me

Had I any premonition when I awoke 
And prepared children for school
What would occur just four hours later,
I would give them lengthier hugs
when I took them to their bus stop 
Since it would be a long time 
until they would see me
The way I was back then
Even if they ever do again

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