Panic by Reem Regina Tatar, April 2003 Published in the International Library of Poetry: The Eternal Portait Series, Volume 11, 12/2003 Dedicated to my father Caught in a world of nightmares and illusion When will the light flood out the confusion? It's been so long since the sun has shone down There is so much sorrow and rage in this town Sinking, faster, into an abyss of doom While the moonlight shines into my room Shadow formations of goblins on my wall Playing tricks with my mind and soon I fall Numb and cold in a deep, languid trance Paralyzed in fright, I watch their nightly dance My body pulsates with hot and cold chills As rain pours in through my windowsills Shadows and raindrops flood my vision Confusion sets in and I can make no decision I am held hostage by dread and despair My lungs squeeze tighter and struggle for air Thoughts rush in and out of my mind I feel too much and would rather go blind Than face the fury and hatred on earth It scares me to think human life has no worth ©2003 Reem Regina Tatar