Again(st) my body
after Layli Long Soldier

Again my lungs beg to regain control of a habitual tidal volume

Again my brain fights as the amygdala infiltrates every lobe

Again my heart pounds as its screams outsound my own

Again my eyes flutter with every distorted, blurred image

Again my back slouches as it leans against the wall

Again my hands tremble with my clenching teeth

Again my body succumbs to an invisible battle against itself

Again my mind holds the key I desperately need to escape;