breathless
it grips you with a cold blade
tight around your throat
no screams escape;
no pleas get out-

nothingness; no sound.

. . . the whispers threaten;
your pulse quickens
"I'm a failure,"
"I'll never make it."

stops. turns to:

"no one wanted you anyway,
so why are you still fighting me?"

fragmented as it may be,
you turn away; ashamed.
frightened. in pain.

but suddenly-
a voice, growing stronger through the years rages on.

"Because I deserve to not feel like this."
"Because I deserve to feel wanted."
"Because I deserve to believe the truth."
"Because I deserve to not be in pain anymore."
"Because I deserve to be happy."

Because you deserve to be happy.

I promise you deserve to be happy.