ptsd

His Limbo Soliloquy                                                

Actually, I like lockdown. I already was before COVID anyway,
but now I’ve got my privacy. No family feeling forced to visit
or hold vigil in my netherworld, he confides through the phone.

Both of us former Army soldiers placing us on common ground
made introductions easier with the usual “where were we when”
comparisons of duty assignments all military members embrace.

Run
Run as fast as you can
It’s coming for you
It can hear you crying
You’d better hide
You unlock the closet door, it creaks open
Safe
Still
Heart pounding
Tears falling
It enters the room
Breathe
            Breathe
                       Breathe
Its steps stop in front of the closet
The door handle jiggles and clicks
Shit
She opens the door, wooden spoon in hand