Paranoia

Kenya Stephens 1995 (Van Wert)



I look out my window and can sense that you're out there.
Out there waiting for me to step foot onto the porch.
The moment I close the door behind me, my senses start to heighten.
Where are you?
I know you will start to follow me once I begin walking.
1, 2, 3, 4, ok we are doing it.
I can make it!
Wait, what was that noise?
I look out the corner of my eye and see you.
You are this black shadow that never leaves me alone.
Thud, thud, thud!
Your footsteps are overpowering mine.
"Run!" I think to myself.
I can't.
My feet can only move so fast.
Wish they would move as fast as my heartbeat.
I try to put on a brave face and begin to talk to myself but I hear you now running.
My brain begins to tingle, and I walk faster until I cave in and run like the wind!
Please God, let me make it home.
I don't want to die.
I try to count but my mind is too far gone.
I've reached flight mode.
As soon as I make it to my destination, I turn around and you're gone.
I take deep breaths. Doing my best to hide what just happened.
"Hey! How was your walk?"
"Fine..."

About this poem

Let me tell you, I used to walk EVERY WHERE at ANY TIME until last year I felt like someone was always after me. It is the scariest thing. Therefore, I am trapped in my own body.

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Written on February 28, 2022

Submitted by kenya_s on February 28, 2022

Modified by kenya_s on February 28, 2022

1:14 min read
24

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCDEFFGDHIJKLMNEOPQRSRTUJ
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,057
Words 246
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 26

Kenya Stephens

Kenya Stephens was just another woman in a big world of adventures. She had to overcome a lot to be where she is today. For that, she is stronger than ever! more…

All Kenya Stephens poems | Kenya Stephens Books

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1 Comment
  • Symmetry58
    Damn girl! You had me hiding under my bed in the fetal position. You definitely have the knack for writing. I love your style and creativity.

    As an important side note: When we afford the mind the liberty to rule our roost, we can isolate ourselves into a state of illusion. We've all lived in such a realm where thought clouds our judgement and fear begins to stifle what we know is real. It can be a hard sell to try to overrule what the mind can undermine...BUT it can be accomplished by the same measures that got us to that point to begin with. I know because I've done so. If you suffer with fear and/or reclusive thoughts, or any mental illness, might I suggest reading the book, "What you can change and what you can't." It helped me tremendously.

    Remember, the same mind that set your thoughts reeling is within you to reverse and cure what that same mind initiated.

    And do remember to stay away from those dietary excitotoxins that force a brain into hyper-mode - sugar being the #1 culprit. Bad carbs are a no-no as well. Brain health is a real thing. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT), Bacopa, N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), Phosphatidylcholine, Magnesium Threonate, etc all amazing as a restorative for proper brain function.

    Who'da thunk poetry would net you a health sermon, eh? I hope you don't mind. I just love to help when able. :-)
     
    LikeReply 12 years ago

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"Paranoia" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/121064/paranoia>.

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