Denial.

It’s not real. Echo.
Denial screams,
frantically shakes my shirt collar,
shake harder until it becomes
the truth.

Panic. Oh God no.
Inward sweat trickles,
my inside eyes widen,
dart side to side.

Protect and avoid,
emergency lock down.
Please secure your own mask
first.

Tighten the straps and deep breaths,
suffocate yourself with the cloudy frenzy.

Now put it away, slam the drawer into oblivion. No matter what.

The cellar is locked, nothing is there.