Gadflies

i don’t know what the future will bring
i’m not a seer
there’s no future
tomorrow never knows

& yet

the lightning is crackling
the storm is brewing
things are ragged & uneven
pregnant with suspicion & alarm

everything’s going to be all right
everything’s going to be all right
but the storm clouds stick around
the air tingles & buzzes
short sharp shocks to the senses
nerves lit up like new york

there’s nothing to fear but fear itself
fear is glued to the inside of my skull