Adrenaline
The juice of adrenaline
ready to fuel
the run for your life
the fear temperature gauge rising
eyes dry
with a hypervigilant pinpointed glare
nostrils flared
ready to detect the smell
of danger
in the air
tongue sucked dry
of any saliva
solar plexus tight
with prickly, nervous energy
commanding attention.
A child’s trauma
recorded
for life.
Anya Sophia Mann