In and out
and in and out
your breath is racing
in and out

and I
am trying
not to doubt
that we will
both be
fine

Up and down
and up and down
the shelter’s shaking
up and down

and you
are staring
at the ground
and clutching
at your
side

Back and forth
back and forth
the dog is pacing
back and forth

and I
can’t tell him
anything
to help him
understand

Off and on
off and on
the lights are cutting
off—