Pain ****** at my eyes as I try to escape,
Try to shut out the cacophonous clamor
Attacking me from all sides at once.
I cannot defend myself from this.
I raise my hands to shield myself,
To clutch at my ears, drown out the noise.
Sensory overload, they call it,
Overstimulation and unfamiliarity.
I gasp and plead to be taken away,
But my words fall flat, and I suffocate,
Heart racing, wild, dizzy as my head spins.
Is this what it means to be lost?
I’m going to lose control, going to slip,
I’m going to I’m going to I’m going to-
Silence.
A hand in mine.
An anchor.
Grounding me.
Pulling me back.
My mind calms,
Slowly, surely.
You, patient,
Never pushing.
I collect myself.
I gather my thoughts, one at a time.
One moment, one person, one deep breath.
Do you know what you’ve done?
Do you know what you saved me from?
You were there, strong, firm,
The touch of your hand on mine,
Your hand gentle on my waist,
Soft and utterly secure, there with me.
You let us just be, silence growing;
You led me back from the edge,
Into safety, security, serenity.
I am back in the moment once again
With you, safe, warm, happy.
Is it strange of me to say
That you feel like home?