Poetry Collaboration*1

Fear
by Astha Saxena & Nico Hsu

​
Wandering
outside of the unknown
barricaded by the doubts
fear
It is

Lingering
inside of your own mind
imprisoned by the will
fear of fear
That is
​
Lights off, in silence
It takes the form of screaming faces
contorted, wincing
hopeless, broken

Staring at you in a menacing stance
Your skin burns and your heart races
You try to think yourself away
But there is no escaping the grip of their trembling hands
They have nowhere to go, no clocks to chase
You can try to shut them out of your dreams
But they will squirm in
They will find a way, they always do

You find yourself sometimes having your limbs cut off
While you lay conscious through every incision
Sometimes you find them running after you
And you keep going,
Legs jittery
Breaths pumping
Vision blurring

Every time you turn around, they are still there
A chokehold, with cold, stiff hands
They seep through your skin and haunt you
With trauma imagined, horrors unspeakable
But ah, that’s their weakness
Turn around and stare at them
Stare into their lifeless, penetrating glare
And you’ll recognize their faces, their distorted figures
They are familiar
​
They are you

Digital art by Nico Hsu

This is a collaboration project between my friend Astha and I. The series don't really have any direction as for now. If you'd like to do any sort of collaboration with me on this blog please don't hesitate to contact me!