SHE MUST BE STILL

she must be still
she must be quiet
stasis required
breathe in
breathe out
soundlessly

perhaps she could slide out of the bed
to settle on the floor
without him noticing
breathe in
breathe out
soundlessly

no
the floor has no blanket
she would be cold
breathe in
breathe out
soundlessly

if she's cold
her teeth will chatter
her body will shake
breathe in
breathe out
soundlessly

she must be still
the extension cord is next to the bed
if he awakes he'll wrap it around her neck again
breathe in
breathe out
soundlessly

the cord hurts
it leaves a bruise
it's hard to breathe
breathe in
breathe out
soundlessly

there is
no possible
escape
breathe in
breathe out
soundlessly


Don't get all in a tizzy. It's just a poem. It's not about me. No one has ever wrapped an extension cord around me neck.