Physical therapy

 Breathe. 

A circle. A square. 

Inhale. Exhale.  1. 2. 3. 4. 

Breathe. 

Here it comes. 

1 - the pain begins. 

The walls close in.  The muscles tighten.  It's time to fight.  

Inhale. Exhale. 

Relax. 

Breathe. 

2 - the pain returns.  It's surrounding me. Constricting me.  The walls close in.  The roof caves.  I'm trapped. 

Inhale. 

3 - I can't escape. 

Exhale. 

4 - it's over now. 

Relax. 

Breathe. 

The prison is gone.  The illusion fades.  The pain, the fear - they remain.  

Broken. 

Wrong. 

Ashamed. 

And repeat.