Entrapped

•

unfurling in linear spiral
time escapes into the future
tethered to the past
ever captive in the now

over and over
repeating in my head
these same strange words
the same chilling voice
over and over

unfurling in linear spiral
time escapes into the future
tethered to the past
ever captive in the now

always the same fevered dream
the fear
the guilt
the regret

I am fallen
paralyzed
unable to lift my head

it’s then I see him
see him coming
slowly out of the mist
coming
always coming

his sour smile
menacing
condemning

I want to rise up
run at him
scream at him
strike at him

run from him
run

but I cannot
I cannot

again that haunting voice

unfurling in linear spiral
time escapes into the future
tethered to the past
ever captive in the now

but what
what does it mean

I’m going
going — I think
going mad
mad

what does it mean

why — charles
it means nothing
and everything

and yes — charles
you are going mad

who
who are you
how do you know my name
why won’t you leave
leave me alone
what do you want!

want?

why – you, charles
tethered to your past
ever captive in this now

• • •

rob kistner © 2010