THE CHILLING HEAT

Linda Eve Diamond

In the dream I’m on fire
from the inside

while going about my busyness
grinding my teeth to bits

on the street I realize
everyone walking by

is burning inside
burnt out, blood boiled

walking along I wonder
if maybe we’re all lost

in some kind of hell
that burns from within

slowly we run
our little errands

trying not to cry
or crumble

our eyes don’t meet
what is happening

seems we’re all lost
in the mist as I awaken

in the midst
of a hot flash

that’s burned its way
into my dream

a punchline that may
have made me laugh

if it didn’t all feel
so real.