Existential terror

The last few days I've been more conscious than usual of the yawning void of  sorrow and fear that seems to be part and parcel of being human, or at least being me (I can't really speak for anyone else). Lately it's close enough to be mildly threatening, but far away that if I sense its encroachment, I can quickly think about kittens and imaginary knights errant and chase it off. Still, though. Maybe I've been drinking too much coffee again.