As in a dream...


As in a dream,

Surrounded, 

Familiar places stripped of sense.


Words not understood

Familiar, unrecognized;

A rising, nameless, fear.


Someone asks if I'm okay,

“Fine,”  

Wrung out, squeezing.


Wandering,

Alone,

Is small relief.


I try to breathe;

The singing crowd,

Footsteps.


A smile

Am I okay?

I nod.


No words,

Murmuring buzz,

The rising song


An admonition

closing in;

a door!


Too bright!

The singing

squeezing, squeezing


Awake, writhing,

I try again

to breathe.

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