Fear

the creeping shiver
raising hackles
running down the
length of your spine
the subtle itch of
narrowing eyes as
you don’t know
what waits behind

the fight or flight that
doesn’t leave a
doubt you’ll make a
desperate dash
soon as you manage
to get your feet
unglued from where
they’re rooted fast

all of that is
faster than thought
an instant
a knowing
and still too slow