105. Waterboarded

they always told me to dream big and I tried

but how can you dream

when each time you rise up

life forces your head back underwater until you can’t breathe

and you’re gasping for air

begging for one last breath

but still they say

(dream big)

so

you dream a little smaller but still

life finds her way back

to push you down once more

so

you try again

a little smaller, again

and again

and again

until your only dream

is to stay small

to stay content with it all

and stay safe

and never have to catch your breath again