Unsettled

Do you know the feeling in the pit
Of your stomach? You named it dread and
It made it's home among the un-
Digested bits of last nights dinner.
It hammered at your ribcage and
Twisted your intestines into some
Sailor knots you wish you knew how to
Tie. Do you remember how your feet
Could never seem to quite find a
Solid place on the ground and when a
Chipmunk rustled the bushes you would
Jump sideways, skittish and thinking of
Snakes, your eyes wide and your racing
Up your throat. Dread and you were always
Close, each whispering secrets to the
Other in your too small house, trying
To be heard over angry shouts. Dread
Walked you home when on one was there
To pick you up from the train and kept
Watch over your shoulder to make sure
No one followed you home. Sometimes dread
Is the most familiar face at
The party, more of a friend than a fear.