The very air around me takes a breath
and hushing holds it.
Soft seeds of salt slide down my cheeks.
It's dark.
So very dark.
I know there is sound in the world.
Somewhere
people hear words, music, laughter.
Thoughts find a voice.
Not here.
Syllables stick in my throat and cut my tongue.
Telling truth is torture.
Asking, sharing, explanation: all is exhausting.
The world shifts under my feet.
That which was stable reveals itself sand.
What was sweet seems suddenly sour.
There is no satisfaction in taste or touch.
It's coming.
I feel its rush and rumble
the rough and rapid tumult rising and roaring.
I cannot move although my silent self sends warnings
through my traitorous body.
My eyes closed; I brace for it.
The spray is first,
running on ahead to kiss my tight-closed lips.
The cold touches my toes and slides over my ankles.
I am consumed.
Cold, freezing, pummeling, overwhelming, ravenous.
There is no me.
Gone.
I am erased and now adrift under the charging tossing weight of it.
My mind remembers help.
My memories say: warmth, sun, the calm caress of confidence.
Fingers relax, unfurl, leading the hands then arms to drift upwards.
My heart opens ready for the touch of grace.
-Judey Kalchik, April 2020
(Image from @cargocollective.com )
About the Creator
Judey Kalchik
It's my time to find and use my voice.
Poetry, short stories, memories, and a lot of things I think and wish I'd known a long time ago.
You can also find me on Medium
And please follow me on Threads, too!
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More stories from Judey Kalchik and writers in Poets and other communities.
If You Love Me, You'll Do It
I met Jason when I was five years old. I could say that I loved him from the moment I saw him. He was so handsome to me and I felt in awe by his presence. When they introduced him as the new kid in school, I wanted to be his friend right away. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember his smile and how he didn't seem shy. He appeared confident and ready to learn. I waved at him and said "hello," before anyone else could even say a word. He sat next to me, and I asked him if he wanted to be friends. He looked so happy as he said, "Yes!"
By Sidney Smith (Sid Smith)6 days ago in Fiction
Comments (10)
Soft seeds of salt- whew what imagery
Beautiful & empowering work!! 😊✨👍
Great lines, Judey! Quite enjoyed every one of them!
I felt it in those words. Truly amazing!
You really poured yourself into this one, Judey! Love it!
Wow, wow, wow, Judey! Panick attacks are really something, aren't they?
A moving and inspirational poem, loved it!!!
I hearted this before but was not able to comment, love this 🥰
I do remember this and the image is also striking as well. A great start
Love this line ❤️ " I am erased and now adrift under the charging tossing weight of it." I feel like this relatable to so many difficult experiences in life. Well done!