Drowning.

How long does it take?
How long can I hold my breath-
How long until the quiet shatters,
and my body begs for air?

I know people who drown.

They drown in their own tears,
hearts sinking in feelings
they try to hide.
Those are the pieces
that should never
be left behind.

Their eyes drown
when the blink away storms.
They wear hoodies
not for warmth-
but so no one
will fear the flood.

They drown in secrets.
Secrets people already have heard.

The ones who drown
sometimes wear a frown.
the ones who drown
sometimes hide it well-
with wide smiles,
and laughter that echoes
through their town.

But even in the deepest tide,
a hand can reach,
a voice can call,
a light can peak through the water.

And those who though
they would never breathe again
learn that the surface
was closer
then they could ever wonder.