People murmur words all around

Some may even be talking to me.

I hear them, but I don't truly understand.

I feel suffocated, like I can't breathe,

with all of these face figures trying to speak to me.

I feel tears begin to prick my eyes, but am unsure as to why.

I raise my hand up to feel my cheeks.

My breath fastens into rapid puddles of disappearing air.

I need to get out of here, to escape before I drown.

I gasp for breath, then decide to run.

They look at me funny, as if I'm okay.

How in this world could I explain?

I'm okay if you mean I'm struggling to swim,

struggling to keep from drowning myself in my own self hate.

I'm okay if you mean I'm dying to live,

dying to survive each night and stay awake.

People murmur words all around

Some may even be talking to me.

I hear them, but I don't truly understand.

I feel suffocated, like I can't breathe,

with all of these face figures trying to speak to me.