IWL (In Waking Life)
I know that a night terror is
a night terror when I’m there. I know
also that I’m in my bed,
which faces the wrong way,
in my room, which is too small,
and that I am I,
but maybe younger.
I know the evil thing
waiting for me to move
is not real, but my dread is.
Waking, I know my country
faces the wrong way,
believes it’s growing
as it steadily shrinks.
I don’t know who we are,
but the evil that moves
among us is real.
I don’t know how to fight it.
I don’t know how I can’t.
I know our yard’s full of birds
and flowers, even blackberries;
our neighbors’, of hens and carrots.
I don’t know how,
but this gives me courage.
— Carl Bettis
2025-04-21
(NaPoWriMo 2025 Day 21)