Fear

By Kaveri Talukder

Breath in, breath out

Breath in, breath out.

But my ragged breathing 

Doesn’t calm 

Down. 

Cold fingertips balance 

Me between 

The brick wall

And 

The metal bins. 

A hundred 

Thoughts run 

Through my 

Mind;

Thunderstorms 

About the 

Unknown.

Rusted metal 

Fences 

Broken & chipped.

Distant voices, 

Screaming and 

Yelling. 

Fists against the 

Walls,

Fences and 

Faces.

Shrouded by 

The darkness 

Of the night

Where no stars 

Or street lights 

Reach.

Hairs on my 

Arms 

Reach to 

Touch the sky,

Saving my courage 

To keep 

Going. 

Chattering teeth 

Encapsulated by 

A

Shivering body. 

Loose gravel,

Nervous footing.

Shadows of 

Dark 

Unknown strangers.

Time slows 

As the fear climbs 

Up my soul

Eating at my head 

And my heart, 

Shaking hands, 

Loose footing, 

Voices coming near.

Footsteps 

Melt into the 

Sounds of voices. 

Glint of metal,

A crazed smile 

Walking 

Towards me 

Like a predator 

Stalking its 

Prey. 

By Kaveri Talukder