Autumn Vertigo

With my eyes shut,

I sway to the motions of a gentle breeze,

scattering crisps leaves around my roots.

My ears alert:

a fallen branch snaps in two.

Eyes wide open, dilated in panic,

trespassers rustling leaves nearby;

I inhale a stretched breath.

Anxious,

my body is sticky with sweaty sap:

I only know how to play dead.

Eyes closed once more,

praying that I will be unharmed,

but this time, I am wrong.

Fate has come to collect its dues,

the birds cry –

I was their nest.

Sharp stabs right in my gut,

consciousness is fading.

Another jab,

this time, they hit below the belt.

My head spinning,

body losing balance.

This must be vertigo.

~

This poem was first published at Steemit.

If you would like to support me, check out my book The A to Z of You and Me, which is available on Amazon & Kindle.