tar

Thrusting my hand into
The cold darkness, I can only see it swallow
half of my arm's length.

The thick molasses of black
makes me lose track of what I am searching for
as it devours my arm and shoulder, sticking

Waiting, looking, probing,
knowing my vision is useless
knowing I cannot see through the fog

if only a speck of light shone through
like a pin pricking the skin for a trickle of blood
I might find my way

the panic rises, my heart races
the darkness is swallowing me whole.
I am tripping, kicking objects unseen
hands furiously probing vacant walls.

never have I felt so afraid
never have I felt so helpless
never have I felt so invisible
never have I felt so unsure

click.

And suddenly, I see.
The shadows have been chased away, the darkness is gone
The remainder more like a feather than cold syrup.

and I am shown the switch.