Do you know that pain in your chest
The struggle to breathe or catch your breath
The struggle to think straight as your eyes water down into tears
The tremble in your legs and arms as even standing becomes a struggle of fear
Do you know that tightening sensation in your throat
The one that makes you choke on your words as you speak
The one that makes it seem like you’re underwater, drowning
The tense pressure as it wraps around your neck, becoming more painful
Do you know that feeling of thoughts racing in your mind
The pounding drums on your brain
The pounding heartbeats in your chest
The breaking of your thoughts until you can no longer think
I know that feeling all to well
I tell myself it’ll pass, even if it feels like it never will
Each second feels longer than the last
I remember I have to breathe, though it’s difficult to remember a good rhythm
I cling to the sound of my own heartbeat as if it’ll make time slow down
I count the seconds, the sounds, the cracks on the floor
I feel the cold ground I sit on, and the harsh sting of my nails on my skin
Keep both feet locked on the floor, my knees and arms up to my chest
By now, a tear rolls down my face yet I don\'t care about how this looks
My arms reach out, my mouth opens, yet only silence remains
My arms now red with little crescent moons, my eyes now red a tearing up
My thoughts spiraling for help and answers
How i wish someone sees me and brings me back
I sit in the noise, waiting for a sign
For a voice, a hand, anything at all
I don’t need perfect, I don’t need a cure
I just need someone to hear me right now at this very moment
The faintest voice calls out my name
Slowly getting louder and more clear, the voice calls me
This voice brings me back, the pressure on my neck releases
This voice reminds me of where I am and brings me back to reality
One last time they say my name and hold me close
The world comes back as if time stood still while i was gone
I wipe the tears off my face and with much energy say “I’m fine”
I get up, and place the smile everyone expects me to wear
And though I walk away like nothing’s wrong
The echo of the fear still stays with me
So I breathe again, a little more each time
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