Pause-- A Struggle With Self-Identity

Take a breath,

pause.

Step back,

pause.

Am I okay?

Sit at home wondering why,

my body isn't like theirs.

My voice isn't like theirs.

It's like the world is,

crumbling down.

I can't hear the sound,

Of my own lungs,

My own breath,

As I struggle to swim,

struggle to walk.

While my conscience screams at me to wake up,

Press against the open wound,

Keep going.

It's hard,

too hard.

If I don't do it,

Who will?