Half a breath held
The other half pacing
Your fists are clenched
Your neck muscles, tightening
You become lightheaded
As your heart starts racing
Less carbon dioxide
Sends a million thoughts flying

Then you realize
You're no longer holding
The other half breath
That you were repressing
You enlist help from your stomach
While your chest is heaving
Now you're
FULL ON
     DOWNRIGHT
          HYPERVENTILATING

And as your heart pounds
Your eyes, rapidly blinking
Your mind's befuddled
By all that's happening
That you totally lose track
Of what you were thinking
Except how to stop
Yourself from hyperventilating