Prefix

a staggered dream. the urge to wake.
and though i fail i feel i'm not the same.
a timing lapse. the latchkey slips.
a bile surge that roars against my lips.
a tale i've told while still awake
of timed release and fickle fate.
a nightmare room. the windows spin.
i'm quite awake and almost dead.
never to fall asleep again.

a shadow looms behind the safety of my door.
i'm calling out in the dark but i cannot see anymore.
a breaking strain. a sickening crunch.
a dime relief. a pulling free.
and when it's done what's left is only barely me.
a horror i can't believe.

one thirty comes. temptation holds.
i start to drowse and lose my self-control.
my stomach turns. my body tilts.
i'm sick before i even hit the quilt.
halfway awake the shadows rise
i'm running scared and cannot trust my eyes
the end, flushed away.
i watch tv to stay awake.
how many more nights can i take?