Alive, in most regards. Breathing, clinically. Functioning, but only barely. Grasping for air, beneath the surface. Lungs are gurgling, failing miserably.
Hitching gasps, under a smile.
Wheezing at the core, seizing mental capacity. Masking terror under “I’m fine”. Hiding in plain sight. Falling further, sliding faster; no one seems to notice.
Drowning above the surface; fighting to stay alive.
Choking; air or water, what difference does it make? Ticking, slowly by, time seems to halt; struggling to stay here, focus is all but gone. How can I focus when I feel like I’m dying?
Alive…but just barely.
Shoes Off at the Door 