Cautious in the Extreme

gnawing thoughts

and nerves that prickle
and scratch
every whisper, creak, snap
everything
picked up, analysed
shapes in the dark
risk assessed with
distorted data
and even at rest
if you can
call it
that constant
sense of dread
mistrust
everywhere
you multiply
enemies
perceive predators
around every
corner of your mind
twisted evidence
you gather, devour every
shred and
make your nest
in fear