First Graders

Is there a word for one step further than fear?

When fear breaks through the walls

A machete swinging

While you sit glazed over in the rubble

Is there a word for when you're trying to say something

But there is a city inside your chest

Moving slowly

then quickly

then slowly again?

1 am not the only one with blurred vision from explosions

that are close

and then far

and then close again

Somewhere deep, I know all of the chaos and questions

will find their place

1 know the answers are looking for me

One day, they'll see me from afar and run to me

Like first graders off the school bus, braids bouncing in the sun

A Poem By Nightbirde