A lonely shell of a person Is what I used to be.  I felt breathless I thought the world was grim, helpless Nothing mattered and yet— All at once— Everything mattered.  The glowing prospect of my future— The desire to become all I've envisioned—  Awakened me to the potential the world and life has yet to unfold.  Gifts are all around us Opening these gifts gave me a new sense of life And now— I'm breathing.