Paranoia

It happened again

I feel nothing but fear

Can't move

Can't think

Frozen in what could've happened had I not acted quick

The gunshot erupts

Echoes through my head

His last words

His screams

Upright in my bed

The window open

The darkness of morning

My breathe was still

I swung the door open

Told my parents, but they were cautious to step foot

Outside the premises, the sounds of groans and images of fleeing blood

And when I stepped out

It was all over the gate

The doorknob

The floor

He was trying to get in

The cops had passed

Surveying the scene

Took away the guy

Who I heard cry

as he probably died

No longer safe

I was afraid to leave home

Couldn't step outside

Community was no longer my safe zone

The sound of a gun

I could've been killed

I had planned to go on a run

Within 30 minutes of that shrill

And now again

About 6 months later

Someone burned our recycling can

The smoke so heavy

The flames so bright

Close to the trash can

And our trees so tall

It could've gotten worse

Our house could've burned down

If it wasn't for the dogs

The neighbors

And the fact that class had ended early

So my paranoia seeps in

I can't sit still

What if it happens again?

Who wanted to wish us ill will?

And I feel like I'm screaming

But nobody can hear

My paranoia owns me

It feeds me fear

I think of the worst

Helped by no one here to comfort me

An aura of what if's

and that something scary is coming

Be prepared

And look sharp

Be on the lookout

For something that will bring harm

Written: March 18, 2021