Fragments rising, never-ending, heart beating, time bending,
sounds that flare and twist my head, turn me red, chase me from the bed.
Looking out, closing in, guarding ears, battling fears,
longing for a moment’s space, surrounded tight, held at the brink.
Even though I’m stout of mind, I beg for a pause, a break from this kind.
Sounds that hit and make me reel, things I can’t command or steal,
stuttering sounds that circle round, hunting wide like a restless hound.
Hear them flash and vanish quick, gone before the mind can stick.
Over there, or did they flee?
Stuttering sounds, let me be.