I remember knowing people were upset, afraid… But I didn’t know why.

I knew I wasn’t supposed to know.

I learned that there were facts that were too upsetting to know. I learned existential angst vicariously like we all do.

And ever since, I’ve feared the shadow round the corner, the dark demon that creeps up when you’re paralyzed in a night terror.

The feathered flutter visceral churning forget to breathe remember release.