I Heard A Scream

I heard a scream…

My heart raced.
Ears ringing,
eyes unfocused.

I heard a scream…

My mind in chaos,
unable to hold a thought.

Then you placed an arm around me—

my heartbeat slowed,
the noise faded,
I closed my eyes.

I heard a scream…

but this time
my mind was calm,
reality sharpened.

I heard a scream—

that’s how it feels,
the cycle of panic.