Harmed by the Swarm

Driving through the town where I grew up
a pleasant simple day, a smile on my face
then an image to my left makes me startle
like waking from a dream, a pleasant one
to a reality that had seemed lost and far away
Did I just see him?
This happens from time to time,
my mind plays tricks,
I feel he's here, I fear he's near
but this time...I have to know

Hesitantly, I turn and look back
it's him,  in bright yellow tank top
playing basketball by the library
like he used to do across the street from where I lived
his image pressed like a hot iron brand
driven through my mind
tempered pieces start to burn
with the fear of the memories
that swarm around me...

That's how I feel...
like there is a swarm around me
No one can understand
my drastic fear of the hive
as a little girl playing with friends
our ball upset the swarm
as the dark, dark buzzing beasts attacked
such fear enveloped me
I was lucky to get out alive
that's how I feel when these thoughts
attack me....
His yellow tank top makes me thing
of the yellow jacket
how could I not have known how dangerous
that young man was
young, vulnerable, scared and afraid
feeling no escape
no one can understand this fear either

To this day, when I see a wasp
I want to scream, run, hide
even the urge to jump from a moving car
to avoid the fear that comes from close proximity
here I am in my car and the thing I fear is out there
flying by, he takes not a notice
of the pain in my eye
and of it's shameful gleem
his stinger flashes in plain view
and I wince as I look away
his evil smile breaks casually
ignoring me he continues
in his little game...
it's all just a little game