Choose Life
written by: Michelle Ayon Navajas
@poetrybymich
you thought the use of prohibited drugs would end
the indescribable pain you’re feeling inside
so you had it way past the limit, of how much your body could take;
you had it all in one swig of a moment,
one time, one momentary slip of consciousness;
your world turned into the darkest of oblivion.
you thought shutting off the oxygen that your breath would stop
you from hyperventilating,
gasping the air brought about
by your misery, your panic,
your fear, your stress;
so you cut a part of you
that locks up the air, you let it loose, you let it go,
in a single drastic flow of blood,
you breathe your last breath,
your lungs expelled the last gulp of air,
until there was none.
you thought leaving the world
of the living would end all
of your greatest worries and fears,
your darkest secrets and traumas,
your inexplicable mood swings;
but, truth be told- it won’t,
your worries and fears could be your grandest blessings,
your darkest secrets and traumas could be your road to greatness,
your inexplicable mood swings could be your highway to healing.
don’t cover up your pain with a beautiful smile,
don’t hide your trauma with grace and composure,
most importantly don’t ever think
of quitting the life you have;
because i have been there and amidst sobbing gulps of dissatisfaction,
i found the courage to say ‘no’ to quitting
i found hope in all of life’s emotions, excitement, adventure, meaning, and love.
i have had the chance to live every emotion invented,
i have curled up on the bathroom floor sobbing with fear,
screamed at the top of my lungs alone with the hope of finding comfort,
i have flashed and danced with confusion,
and had the chance to stare at life
right in the face to find out
what is important;
life continues to surprise me,
because i chose to live.
- The Haunting of the Acacia Tree - November 1, 2024
- Resilience - September 10, 2024
- Drowning - July 25, 2024
