Quiet Storm

Old skin, thin light. Years add only fear. Anxiety's cold grip Grows with each new dawn. A tightening dread.

Others feel pure joy. Small hands, endless love. Why not me, childless? Why this strange relief? A hollow, vast peace.

The thought, a black pit. Womb, a coiling dread. That violent entrance. Birth, a tearing scream. A nightmare made real.

Surrogate, my plea. A dream of new life. Not born of my flesh. He says, "No, not that." His gaze turns so cold.

This dread, it clings tight. Doom's cold hand holds me. Panic takes my breath. My mind, a wild storm. Screaming, deep inside.

No adoption plan. No path but one way. He wants my body. To bear his own child. My soul just screams "No!" A breaking, loud cry. Please, make it all stop.