I must breathe

I must breathe

It is a weakness
I have not overcome,
I tried: I held my breath
and savored the growing ache,
embraced the darkness
at the edge of vision.
I felt the throb in my head,
the ringing in my ears
and counted sideways,
forgetting up from down,
dizzy in the lack of hope.
I screamed with need,
my lungs gasping for want:
life, liberty and air, sweet air
                             I inhale.

Forgone I guess,
the conclusion simple:
I must breathe
in the rhythms
of triumph, then despair.

I grab my pen,
                      I must breathe.