I learned to hold my breath in me
'Til my blue face blended in with the sea
Classroom of students in rows, front to back
Thirty blank faces, one masks a panic attack
I learned to keep my breath bottled in
Like my S.O.S in the empty ocean
When my dad said I had to not mope
I told no other souls, privately I'd cope
I learned to keep my breath still
As the waters stagnating my boat will
Twelve hours in bed on a Saturday
Keep the depression in the mattress I lay
I learned to make my breath freeze
Like the iceberg's nine tenths no eye sees
A confused marker read my failing grade
She had not read my symptoms, I'm afraid
Hiding Negative Emotions From Others
Withholding
Published by Family Friend Poems December 1, 2023 with permission of the Author.
Advertisement