If Only They Knew
Anxiety slowly, steadily creeps through the cracks in her slightly shattered mind
Although once untouched, it has now been indented with creases ever so perfectly prepared for a flood of emotions to arrive, she is trapped, no way out of the feelings she is about to endure, if only they knew
She considers that others may not feel as if their thoughts are like wildfire spreading through a forest but dismisses this simple thought and moves on with her day
She attempts to take deep breaths as she tries to quiet the millions of thoughts running through her head
An abrupt wave suddenly washes over her as she struggles to come to shore, and although she is concealed under the water, she is trapped, no way out of the feelings she is about to endure, if only they knew
She may ponder why this simple act of breathing is so strenuous and why she was not more grateful for it when it was just a simple moment in time
Dark, purple bags sag under both her eyes as she longs to close them, lay her head on her pillow and hide from all her troubles
Her hands begin to cramp from the worn down pencils she grasps each day and night as she works tirelessly to produce a simple letter on a paper
She feels the weight of those who love her, pressuring her to fulfill her potential and make them proud
She stares at the blank pages for hours wondering what this is all worth, but she is trapped, no way out of the feelings she is about to endure, if only they knew
She wakes up with a pit in her stomach from just the thought of taking on the day
She slowly walks across the hall to her next class clutching her books, praying no one will say anything to her
She shuts her eyelids to conceal the somewhat subtle teardrops she is managing to trap inside
She fully comprehends that she will fall apart if she is exposed to but another comment, text, remark, but she is trapped, no way out of the feelings she is about to endure, if only they knew
She ponders if her heart is racing at a million miles a second or if the echo of the deafening, thumping pulses are overriding all other variables of her life for the moment
As we watch from a distance we compliment the beautiful young girl on her academic accomplishments, character, friendships, calmness, humor, and more, if only they knew.
By: Ali Smith, 8th Grade