Forever Drowning

When I was a little girl, my mother taught me to fear the water, for she did not want me to drown.

She did not mention we can drown in more than just water.

I am in middle school, drowning in insecurities.

Weird

Ugly

Fat

The words choke me.

I am in high school, drowning in expectations.

Career options

Colleges

GPA

I am getting swept away.

I am in college, drowning in stress.

My tuition

Future

Debt

I try not to suffocate.

I just need to catch my breath.

I need to learn how to breathe, like them.

Those adults, they know their stuff.

They’re doing just fine, I think.

It seems to get easier, unless,

They too are trying,

To come up,

For air.