The Worst Thing You Can Imagine

Johnny said it was a snake. A big fat
snake. All slimy with it’s coils.
Aidan had a dragon, but then, he drew a lot
of dragons. Katie thought it was the dark,

and we all laughed, but I think she came closest.
Mark said it was Eloise McAlister. He got sent out.
When they came to me I had drawn
a mummy and a daddy, and me,
and Fred the dog. They had to call
my parents in. They thought it was abuse.

But at five-years-old how could I explain
what has taken me twenty more to put a name to?
It is indifference. That’s what fucks you up.
It’s being caught in traffic, and just suddenly

knowing there isn’t anywhere,
or anything that matters.