crouch

 

                               art by Arthur Rackham 

i eye your shadow on the wall
it swells and swells and swells
your voice climbs higher to reach it
and i try to grow smaller to dodge it

until your heavy fist flies at me
faster than lightning, closer than the monster under my bed
i start to think maybe
i can fit in the palm of your hand

maybe i'll be alright on the inside of your clenched hand
than i'll ever be on the outside of it
maybe it holds safety inside
maybe even some love. 

but for now, your fist flies
and i crouch.