Advocate

These burdens weigh me down, steal the air

as it bubbles out of my lungs,

but I gather them up, from person to person to person

collecting their problems and breaking them down

easing their load while filling my own;

I can't stop. I made it my job, a career in cleaning up crises,

shouldering stressors, taking care of people.

The award on my office window sill calls me an advocate,

but who is advocating for me as I sink?