It is

Poetry
It's reality.
It's a pressure in my chest
A dark shadow in the morning.
It's a friend,
About to whisper their darkest secret in my ear
It's words on paper,
It's how I'm heard.

But even more,
It's how I hear the world.

It's the words others can't say aloud.
It's the truth in the lies.
It's the fear of the child.
It's the bravery of the soldier.

It's hope.