Noise

Noise

They say: “it’s okay”

They say: “piece of cake”

They say: “You’re all set

To go do your best”.

The knot in my chest

Is saying not yet.

A burning ache

That makes me fade quick away.

They tell me: “Stand tall

Chin up, don’t back out”.

My hands are more shaky

With every step up.

“Your mind is a gun,

The fear is to fight!”

Yet all I can do

Is swallow the lump.

They see a blast

A future so bright;

I see a fire

That’s giving out.

I tried to be

What you wanted to see

But the knot’s growing thick

I forgot how to breathe.

Can’t hear no more

What they’re trying to say.

I keep losing balance

As their eyes fall on me.

Their voices, at once –

Too many –

Enough –

To blend into one;

Static noise,

There, behind.