Life is like the ocean
Vast and deep

Sometimes there are storms
And it feels like you’re sinking to the bottom of the sea

Sometimes it’s calm
And you feel so peaceful. So tranquil.

But one thing's for sure
Nothing is ever constant

Things come and go in waves.
Some big. Some small.

Live not trying to separate the waves.
For every wave makes up the ocean that is to be.

I hope that you will smile today
and give yourself a break.
A smile can be great medicine.
It helps when hearts might ache.

Perhaps, if you try hard enough,
the smile becomes a grin.
And when you've worn it long enough,
you'll feel it grow and then...

The grin becomes a chuckle
and it then becomes a laugh.
And everyone will wonder if
you've made a social gaffe.

For laughter is contagious
and it helps to get us through.
Here's hoping that today will bring
some happiness to you.

Hands clenched so tight my knuckles turn white.

Face wrenched in tears.

Escaping breath not caught.

Rocking back and forth.

There's no reason. No rhyme.

Everything is closing in.

Noise is too loud and too quiet all at once.

I scream whispers of breath I don't have.

My body tells my brain I'm not okay.

My brain tells my body to panic.

My brain left my body.

I'm left in the crossfire of pain and terror.

I can't. Breathe. I can't fight. I can't do this. Please someone help me. PLEASE JUST HELP. I CANT DO THIS ANYMORE.

I sing to voice the colors of my soul.
I write to bring the words I feel to life.
I rhyme to feel that I am in control,
And breathe to know that I am not a knife.
I dance to taste the wind blow in my hair.
I bend and sway to dodge these fiery darts.
I hide to keep my feelings unaware
That everything I reach for falls apart.
I bow to broken people like myself,
But when did prayer become a second guess?
I lie in bed and curse my mental health
And wish for broken bones instead of stress.
    When all is said and done, I cry to feel,
    And hurt myself to know that this is real.

One step behind the other,
I keep my eyes ahead.
I'll keep myself together
If I watch where I have tread.

I'm sure I'm being hunted
By monsters in the night.
Not sure if I've been stunted,
Or if this is their true height.

But if the shadows wavered,
Or gave way to my stare,
I'd sing instead of quaver
And stand with shoulders square.

No time to sit and panic
Or just wait for the dawn.
Until I leave the manic,
I must keep trudging on.

Wait until I'm with you,
And then I might break down.
Take comfort when it's through,
When at last pain makes a sound.

Just save me a seat in the closet
I'm fighting my fears now:
Fear was the one to cause it,
But I will answer how.