knife under my pillow

That’s my window,

That’s my lamp,

That’s my mirror,

That’s my art.

.

Eye spy for one

avoids fear that creeps

into my mind

as I lay down to sleep

.

Underneath my pillow

That’s my knife.

Protection for

my mortal life

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This was written after reading Chloe’s brilliant writing prompts for October list. “Knife Under My Pillow” immediately stood out to me. Throwing my mind back to the summer of 2021 after I came face to face with a man attempting to break into my house. I was alone. I was terrified. He kept coming towards me and I began shouting loudly for the neighbours. Thankfully this was enough to have him run away and jump back over the wall in my garden.

That’s all tht happened but it destroyed my already fragile sense of perceived safety. Every creak and noise in the house had me on edge. I didn’t sleep well for months. I started having panic attacks again. My health rapidly declined. I slept with a knife under my pillow for a long time. Something I forgot about completely until I saw this prompt.