I awoke on my back
out of a nightmare
above me
the shadow of a man putting his shoes on
my body
dense
jaded
stiff
I felt trapped
paralyzed
heard the door click shut
began to cry with the force of a person vomiting on all fours

blinking back salt
I saw them
a thin pair of black rimmed glasses
to me
a beacon of hope
I rushed to stand
spilling cold water on my feet
electricity

staring through the peephole
(into the grey foggy morning)
I waited
then finally
he emerged
shivering
the moment came
went
so I slithered back to bed
for some time
I lay there
unmoving
like a fallen mannequin
but then
once again
the door smacked shut