The Monster Inside

It's the breath you cannot take;

It's the tightening in your chest;

It's the crying-

Oh god, the crying.

It's like a Greek tragedy,

Being sent to Hades

And despite how temporary it is

Each attack feels like an eternity in the Fields of Punishment

And no one seems to notice,

Or want to understand

That you're drowning in your own fears.

They tell you, “just breathe,”

As if it was that easy,

As if you're not trying.

“You're being ridiculous.”

As if you don't know.

But you can't control it-

Because it controls you.

And then it starts again;

The trouble breathing-

The crying-

The trip to Hades-

An eternity of constant panic.