Lights and sounds strobe around me

Sleep deprivation creates phantoms flashes

Almost taking form

Like traffic speeding by

Eyes Open!

Awake!

I make myself small.

I make myself fade.

Heart racing

Mind numb

Calm and still

So no one notices

No one sees

No one hurts

Eyes Open!

Awake!

Unsafe to be here

I stand on shaky ground

Too tired to move.

Too scared to stay

I gather my things

And walk into the darkness.