1.It really was the shape of night, 

all mystery at first,

but there was the noise too,

sitting on my chest

until I broke out in sweat, 

and we were alone with the only

choice to cancel the weekend.

 

2. That was the first year. By the second

year, it was living in a cubicle at work. 

And by the third year, 

 I found a doctor holding my diagnosis

as I walked into his office with frozen

shoulders.

 

3. This morning, I was at the kitchen 

table when it sat next to me, 

grew restless and tried to swallow

me whole, and all I did was sip my coffee,

asked the day whether it wanted 

scrambled or fried.