They See. They Know

I mustn’t let them hear it,
The beating of my heart.

They will know I’m afraid.
They will press my fear,
Further tighten the chains around me.

I want to scream out warnings;
Pain pushing against my chest.

But they are near.
They are always watching.

Sush… Quiet… They approach.

Quick! Head down. Nose buried in work papers.
I shouldn’t be here.
I shouldn’t be typing this.

They will know.
They will see.

I feel trouble burning the nape of my neck.
And the chains of work tightening further around my waist.