breathe.
in–
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
they count softly
a trick she taught them.
almost a command,
not exactly a gentle comfort.
the energy is thicker
heavy with the dripping emotions
of absolute fear and paranoia
struggling to drink in the air, she drowns.
quite alive, but afraid of living.
good.
now breathe,
out.
1
2
3
4
she knows how this works.
their voice is calming
almost soothing enough, to bring her away from the edge.
almost.
still she exhales.
are the counts faster within each breath?
or, maybe… maybe longer.
in–
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
her chest heaves and falls
swirls of turmoil and pressure churn in her stomach
struggling to hold her breath she thinks;
they care.
she wonders why.
out–
1
2
3
4
the release is powerful
they listen to her exhale,
“you are okay”.
a simple sentence, yet so complex
like “i love you”.
she relinquishes her power in her search to find comfort in their words.
breathe.