Stiff.
Cold; teeth chattering,
a filler of sound for the
air of silence enveloping your surroundings.

Stiff.
Hiding in the dark,
anticipating the moment
you’ll be found.

Stiff.
As you lay in bed, motionless,
contemplating the repercussions of the most
minuscule of motions.

Stiff.
“Cheese!” Teeth set straight and still,
muscles daring not to move, eyes
stationary.

Stiff.
The sensation in your fingers,
as the words flow from your ink tip
onto the page holding your future.

Stiff.
Eyes on your body, unmoving; yet
your heart pounding at
a thousand beats per second.

Stiff.
The universe waiting for
the interruption—
beep! The final
Goodbye.

Written by Annika Lee. Edited by Justin Hu / Isabel Li. Published on 24/09/2019. Header image courtesy Mae Mu on Unsplash.