The Quiet Collapse

Struggling 

Lots of people struggle 

It's all in being human 

But not how I am struggling

“Just breathe, take one task at a time.”

But it's the feeling. Not the tasks at hand

The feeling of needing to breathe, but you're underwater

Your body is fighting for you to get to the surface

But you can never swim fast enough

The feeling of having just enough food to keep up alive

But your stomach is still stuck eating itself.

You're not dying, but you're never full enough

But you're not failing 

Your school work is done

You're on time for work

But there are cracks

Subtle shifts under the surface

Not many see them

Not many care to notice the small things

But I do

I notice the way the air leaves my lungs 

I notice how my nails are bare and bleeding

Did you notice?

Did you see anything?
Or did you choose to look the other way

Blind as a bat, you could say

But bat’s eyesight is immaculate in so many words 

So you did see 

You did notice 

You choose to look the other way.