My body knows this feeling. It has been here before.
To protect itself, it closes the door, dims the lights, and cradles these arms around oneself, waiting quietly, till we feel safe to come out again.
In me, a younger self that’s still scared of loud words, has a security blanket ready at hand for when we feel the need to disappear.
We both clench in our own embrace, and soon enough we let ourselves know "it will be okay".

Moi x