Into the Night
Let me tell you, about fear . . .
I was laying on my bed when I sensed a foreboding,
and saw the flash of a huge, sharp knife moving in the moonlight;
knowing it was my abusive boyfriend drunk and crazy,
it was not the first time, he had held that knife to my throat.
I lived in dread, afraid for my life but was trapped,
trapped in this horrific situation, I had left my parents home;
but this time, I was overcome with fear- this was it,
jumping up, I ran out into the street with no shoes, with nothing.
Running and running to no where terrified that he followed,
finally, I found an alleyway and sat on the cold ground;
I leaned back against a brick wall and cried in dismay,
all night I stayed there frightened of every sound or creak.
In the daylight, a passing man handed me five dollars,
and I went to a cafe, gulping down warm brew with thanks;
thinking about my situation with apprehension and panic,
free refills of coffee- oh thank you to that kind sir who passed.
Reflecting, I realized that "he" had systematically,
and with skill- got rid of every friend I had in my short life;
I had no one to call for help, even my parents,
then, I noticed a newspaper on a table someone had left.
I picked it up and it opened to rooms for rent,
and I saw a listing for a room in a townhouse with college girls;
with trepidation I called and ended up on their doorstep,
I had no shoes, my clothes were in disarray, my hair tangled.
Telling them my tale with angst, they had tears for me,
one said, I will get you some clean clothes and shoes,;
they told me to stay as long as I wanted and needed to,
from the basement they carried up a mattress and blankets.
I think- I slept for a week, waking in great panic and fear,
then, falling back when I realized it was a bad dream only;
I was full of shivers and willies, fearful of all sounds,
the girls encouraged me to call my parents and with unease I did.
Within an hour my mother was there hugging me,
my parents welcomed me home and dad bought me clothes;
for a long time- I suffered from androphobia and xenophobia,
but in time the heebie-jeebies left me, and I found me again.
_________________
September 3, 2017
Narrative/Into The Night
Copyright Protected, ID 936887
Written for the contest, Fear
sponsor, Debbie Guzzi
Sixth Place
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment