The Day after

Recovering from, a nighttime PTSD flashback, during my sleep.

Trembling fingers

Reaching out

For what

Eludes my grasp.

As my leaden arms

Refuse to move

At my request

Just once.

My body

It appears

To anyone looking

Like a giant

Human-sized ball

In my bed.

The knees

Almost touching

My face

As they lay frozen

There.

Wordlessly

The tears do fall

Unto a stained pillow

From other flashback nights

That have haunt me.

Knowing

My fragile soul

Needs several days

Before I can say

"It's ok".

Re-emerging back

Into the circle of life

Once more.

Author's Note

A normal recovery time, for a nighttime PTSD flashback last 2-3 days, before all symptoms disappear, but during this time, I'm am very vulnerable.