they talk to me,
think i'm listening.
but really, i am swallowing
words of self-hatred.

my heart beats but
there is no sound.
my pulse is felt,
but no life.

when i look in
the mirror,
i see a lot of things,
but none of them are me.

i am trapped inside
my own body,
i yearn to get out.

people think i am
breathing, but no,
i choke.