Dread
not a lock, a lever
always pulled d
o
w
n
there’s no going back now
The aching, heavy un-fear
The constant ticking
ever more near
The steel toes grating on concrete
The heart a dead yo-yo
The steady dragging beat
not a flutter;
a flat iron fist
The short sharp nails
digging into the sweaty cold palms
“Don’t force me, I’ll go”
Teeth locked
Chin high
The face a stone grimace
breaking when I hit the door
A chrysalis
cracking
In my sneer appears malice
Flicking on a fire behind my eyes
A fire
all the better
to BURN this industry d
o
w
n
