Breathe

My daughter recently took part in a poetry workshop at school.  Once it was over, her assignment for class was to write a poem and then deliver it in a spoken word performance to her class.  If chosen, she would then compete against the other top poems from the other 5 classes in her grade.  What she wrote and performed was so intensely personal.  I was blown away by her courage to share, but more so by the profound words, technique and delivery of the poem itself (the English teacher in me!).

She was extremely self-conscious about sharing with others in her school about her experience with anxiety, but I told her that she was likely helping others by sharing about what she has dealt with.  A friend of mine, who is a teacher at her school commented on how she impacted other students with her words.  My friend shared that at school she appears to be such a confident, composed and self-assured young lady, so in sharing her story and poetry, my friend overheard some students commenting on how great it was that she shared, as you would never have known otherwise.  In addition, my daughter said a younger student approached her and thanked her for sharing her story.  I asked her if I could share it on here.  With Bell Let's Talk Day approaching (January 29th), it is important to me to spread the word about sharing stories of mental health and what we do to deal.  

This is my daughter's story.
What you are about to read are her intro and her poem.
Enjoy and #BeWellEDU.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.  I am going to present a poem called, "Breathe".  It is near and dear to me because when I was younger I used to have anxiety and still have it today.  So, without further ado - here is "Breathe".

Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe.
You're ok.
You're ok. 
No one noticed your scream inside.
No one noticed your heart pounding,
Head racing
Hands shaking
Breath barely escaping!
You're ok.
You're ok.
Even though you have a test tomorrow,
And your mom is sick,
And you can’t help but let the thoughts flick-er through your mind!
It’s unfair! It’s disastrous its just- its just-
Just
Just 
Breathe
Just breathe
Just.
Breathe…
Feel your forehead, sweat perspiring.
I wish I could be like those who are inspiring
But,
But no.
I am me, with my shaky hands!
My too fast heart!
And my head like sand running through a timer,
Constantly burning like a fire. 
Breathe!
Just Breathe.
You got this,
Just keep it together until you get home!
Where your dad can hug you and tell you, you're not alone.
Walk down the hallway binders in hand.
You move your hands to adjust your headband-
OH NO!
It’s him!
The one that you like,
Coming up to you with that sweetest smile
Here comes that feeling of denial
He’s to cool for you 
You can’t talk to- Hey!
He says right to your face
Your cheeks go red 
And you hesitate 
As you walk away, messing things up 
OH! Why am I such a nut!
There it is again that feeling of disgust-ed with yourself 
Why are you here when you should be studying!
But you can’t with thoughts of him, and your mom
Your mom!
OH 
There it is again!
Heart pounding
Head racing 
Hands shaking
Breath barely escaping
My chest is collapsing
My balance is breaking
My anxiety is over taking!
Just breathe!
I CAN’T!
Just breathe.
I ‘ll try.
Just breathe. 
I can.
Just-
Breathe.
I’m Breathing,

I’m Breathing.