at the faintest sound
ready to freeze

at the tiniest glimpse
ready to run

at the slightest touch
ready to fight

every fiber in the body
prepared for survival

ready all the time
prepared for every occasion

still building up the tautness
still tightening more and more

never feeling any of the tension
never sensing the strain

until the tiny cracks appear
and the muscles tear apart

a burning sensation
a lack of strength

everything tumbling down
everything breaking apart

no energy left
just endless rest