The earth beneath me is rough
as my pained feet pound against it.
My brain swarms with brutal thoughts
of this unforgiving thing called life.
My lungs fill with sour air, polluted
by rejection, with every gasp I take.
Warm drops of sweat trickle from my hair,
down my pounding forehead, as I run.
The world seems to be caving in on me.
The clouds move closer, the ground begins to crumble
and I lose my balance as I am swallowed;
devoured by the stress of school, the pressures of society,
and the overwhelming distance of my dreams.
My fingers ache and slowly stretch open,
trying to grab a hold of my future.
Every time I catch a glimpse,
it seems to slip away in the blink of an eye.
My clothes stick to my perspiring skin,
drenched with fear, as I sprint towards my goals.
My limbs begin to shake uncontrollably
as I struggle to take just one more step.
My legs lose feeling.
My knees go weak and hit the ground.
My throat begins closing up
as I gasp for one last breath, and then. . .
my eyes close; now all I see…
darkness.