the vibration of breath trying to push through my gated nostril awakens my mind burning throat scaly like the earth's surface unable to talk the strings of thought burst in-- a waterfall of fear, to-do lists, and dread just breathe, I remind just breathe but I can't do it fully each nostril stuffed to its brim firmly gated a faint tune rings it's time again un-wanting filled with a yearning for lazy mornings filled with needs of more sleep I stroll towards the shower groggy a reflection of a woman stares back dark circles graying at the temples tiny blemishes sprouted across her face Searching for rest I inhale the steam and breathe for the first time uninhibited bare each breath filling my body-- a balloon a life a day a moment-- The present is all. Napowrimo 2015
Scream: In Defiance
November 3, 2025
