Monsters

from the silence that screams —

“I used to be afraid of monsters …”

I used to be afraid of monsters

Or intruders breaking in

But now the monster I fear most Is the sound of silence

When you stop breathing

And then your choking coughs

And gasps for air I fear the sounds of your machines

And the smells of medicines

And my intrusive thoughts breaking me

These are not the monsters I thought I’d be fighting at 3 am