[ Reading through this poetry ]

Reading through this poetry
In hopes that the words of another
Will serve as a nicotine and relieve me
Of all the stress and anxiety that constantly
Traps me in this small, dark room.
Where it is so hard to breathe,
But every breath is crucial to whether I live or die.
Finally, the light come on and I feel the relieve.
That maybe it’ll be okay and
Maybe I have made it.
Only until I look down and realize,
That here I am standing in my cap and gown.
Lined up and waiting to go.
It is almost time to walk.
When it all comes back to me,
My chest feels like it starting to cave in.
All the stress and anxiety pushes me back,
Into the small, dark room.
Where now I find it as a place of comfort.
I don’t want to leave.
It is starting to get easier to breathe.
I’ll just say here.
Reading through this poetry
In hopes that the words of another.
Will serve as a nicotine and relieve me.