One eye fixed on the horizon
the waterline creeps
and recedes rhythmically
up and down my mouth
opens as if
I could almost drown
I can breathe
fine one minute
and the next
I’m choking on grief
as if tragically
in slow motion

the need
the reach
neither helping
I can’t stand
and I can’t sit
so I’ll just walk away
from it
and let the experts
of all my feelings
have their own say
opinions abound
when it’s not their skin
that’s roasting in the pit

tune out the noise
while I just try
to keep it together
and pass this
yet another day
temporary and fleeting
I just tell myself
it’s almost over
and it is