5 Waking Nightmare

waking in a fog
like rising from a drug induced slumber
eyes are wide open
absorbing the familiar surroundings
the mind wakes slightly
as the realization starts to set in
the body lies bound
an invisible vise holding it down
this is not a dream
struggling only serves to tighten the hold
breathing becomes hard
the chest tightens as panic rises up
words fight to escape
their attempt thwarted by an unseen gag
fear clenches the heart
as sleep threatens to drag me back under
perpetuating
an endless cycle of torture and dread
ironically
the thought of not waking from this nightmare
of being trapped here
unable to fight the invisible
that binds my body
is just as debilitating as this
sleep paralysis

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they say sound or touch can help bring you out of this, but what happens if you live alone with no person to rouse you with their touch and no animal to lick your ear.  my bouts with sleep paralysis do take quite a toll...being completely conscious of what is around you, but unable to move...


this post was awakened from within by Poetic Asides' Wednesday Prompt.