She can recall the moment with
Sickening clarity: each night, starting
As she steps out into the halogen glare
And stretching on, on until she forces
Her arms up and her mouth open;
Until the silence breaks, surges back
Carrying her off, leaving nothing
But an idea.

No time for fear then, when
She isn’t herself anymore.

But before, for just a moment
She is stranded in the open
A woman on a wooden floor
Set against a backdrop of eyes.