Emotion

It takes my breath.
Leaves me still.

Until my throat relaxes
And I can swallow.

The tide rises over my lids,
Spills out and crashes on my shirt.

Thunder is building
In the dark clouds of my mind.

Getting louder with each thought.

I flinch from the pain that has overwhelmed me.
'Til at last like a tornado it disappears
Into the sky.

Leaving nothing but relief
And a quiet sigh.

Natalie Adkins (c) April 1999