the road is clouded in mist

red room.
bright inside.
but the dark pounds at the windows
rain lashes
and winds howl.

you look up
to a light that isn't on
and your brain starts to shake,
vibrate.
you feel like you should be
answering a call.

you doubt yourself
more than anytime before
and you can't tell if it's
fear or
realization

it's truly ridiculous
to file things under
sections in your brain
but it happens

and though places are left forgotten,
crevices in your mind
not swept up
dust-covered
desolate.
there are things still hiding there
shadowed and quiet
they tip-toe to keep you asleep

but sometimes
they'll carry themselves too heavy
and they send a wave through your head.
your eyes open:
curtains in an open window
during late spring.
they flutter,
a spark lights them up

you think back to the past
to things you wish to forget
let go of,
but can't

there is still someone there,
who will always be there
to make your head shake
during the dark night

even though there's someone
right by your side, now
to quiet your tremors.

you chose a long time ago
whose path to take.
but there has always been a side road
winding along beside your current route,
much more dark and dangerous
and much more tempting

and everyday
when the trees part
and it comes into view,
you almost step a foot onto it

but don't.