How does it feel
to walk down the street,
confident no one will harm you
to be in a crowded space and
not scan for all possible exits
to let down your guard and
invite love over to stay.
Fight, flight, or freeze,
asks the therapist.
I say I fight
because the truth
is more complicated and
I no longer want to be the me
that freezes or flees.
How is your sleep,
asks the doctor.
Fine, I say.
Because when I sleep
I dream of wild worlds
where I fight dragons
and win.
I wake up unrested, but accomplished
I start my day ready to conquer any challenge
ready to invite you over to stay
without worrying about exits
or dragons.
Published in Moveable Type Issue #10, March 2022