The Tides of PTSD
A poem about the onset of PTSD flashbacks.
Feelings and emotions that have been stuffed and stifled for years,
Manifested as pain, resonating deep within me,
Tears have burned tracks down my cheeks.
A relentless pain pounds at my soul,
Like the crushing blows from breaking waves, I’m pushed ever deeper,
Held underwater for an eternity, unable to breathe, I’m drowning.
In vain, I attempt to stay in the present moment,
As the world around me turns opaque.
I’m paralyzed, and my muscles are refusing to cooperate.
The bitterly cold winter breeze,
Has stolen my breath a thousand times over,
And as I pass by you, it’s only as a whisper through the dead branches of old trees.
Copyright © 2023 Chris Patton
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