It's like a car with a flat wheel.

"But You Have to Trust People; It's Part of Life"

What is it,

to be afraid?

It is seeing lipid eyes

and wanting to run

run, run, run

(as he said)

with haste, far away.

You've seen

those eyes before.

You've seen how

far away they can get.

It is feeling someone

touch your shoulder

unexpectedly

and feeling blood run

run, run, run

(as he instructed)

from the face, pounding

in the chest.

You've felt

that touch before.

You've felt

the hideousness

of its absence.

It is hearing a soft voice

trying to convince you

not to flee, but to stay

and hearing

in another sweet voice,

a similarly soft voice,

one full of smiles

and wishes

and promises of

that abstract "all,"

owner of the touch

that melted stone

that cracked the sun

that froze your eyes

o the voice that said,

the voice that

so softly intoned:

...run.

...run, run, run.