Panic Attack

The gauze on my palms turns amber,

It drips translucent liquids on the pavement.

One more drop and I will fall down,

I will break my past, then try to reframe it.

The stitches pull at my thoughts

While the scalpel punctures my left lung.

I need a moment to pull it together,

But I know I am cursed to leave this world young.

Wild animals scratch my throat.

I cough but nothing ever helps the itch.

My feelings swirl like dangerous waters,

And I think they want to catch the witch.

The head that I carry feels heavy,

It leans to the side, greeting the night,

And my skull cracks like a hard candy,

But at least I make it through the fight.

-Jackie