nightmare

Exhalation

Inhalation

If only you’ve seen

what I’ve seen

when i close

my eyes

the swipes of nightmares

of red streaks soaking

down the wall

and seeping

into the mirror

that i stand before

i look across the dark slate

and see my reflection

staring back

with a bruised soul

and realize

the potential

to fail

and feel the pain

and welcome the pain