Ground Zero

**5 Senses Grounding: 5 things you can see, 4 you can hear, 3 you can touch, 2 you can smell, 1 you can taste.

Darkness, without being able to tell

whether it's from closed eyelids

or the shadows through the window.

The future, headed my way,

at the speed of a bullet train.

Ok, ok, you’re being unrealistic.

I can make out the outline

of my bed in the umbra,

see my stuffed turtle

thrown across the pillow.

There’s the manuscript,

taunting me from the desk.

You’ll never finish.

Maybe you’re right,

but maybe you’re not.

My hands curl against the carpet.

My palms rub sweat into my jeans.

I feel the adrenaline buzz in the air.

My face itches from the drying tears.

The humming of the lightbulb

screams inside my eardrum,

a symphony accompanied by

the chirp of crickets outside

and the ticking of my clock.

Too much, too loud, it hurts!

Yeah, it does, doesn’t it?

I smell…smoke?

Is something burning?

I think you left the stove on.

I didn’t cook today.

Incense– pine forest.

It mixes with my cologne–

a strong ocean breeze.

I taste dread.

How did I end up here?

It’s only a matter of time

until we meet again.

You’re right, I'm sure,

but maybe next time…

it’ll be different.