Not a Nightmare — Kaitlyn Newport

Not a Nightmare

Kaitlyn Newport

I let out a relieved sigh an almost soundless cry when I realized I had awoken and my alarm clock remained unbroken because this meant my trauma was simply an imagined drama but when I stumbled down the stairs and found my father’s empty chair saw my mother’s damaged eyes heard my sister’s hushed cries my mind could find no substitute our loss was resolute it seemed my presence took them by surprise because they had simply imagined my demise to occur so silently and oh so quietly without a word, I followed script, inhaled as the earth tipped I managed myself to the stair and saw my baby sister crying there she confirmed the sorrow and my soul became hollow with my father went his daughter as my body and mind had become aware this was in fact not a nightmare.