when you opened
your eyes,
you were never really sure
you’d find her. 

already you’d feel 
your throat tightening,
hear the shaking
of your heart
in your ears,
fear causing bile
to slowly rise
until you could 
taste it on your tongue
like soft blood

you’d run from 
tree to bush to garage-

you’d look under
parked cars,
shaking knees
scraping against
hot pavement,

until finally
you’d open the right
lid or door
and see her looking up at you,
angry, demanding to know
how you were always 
able to find her 

how you never gave up