Escape

by Corynne Nuckols

I’ve a separate person in my head 
Screaming thru the cacophony of sounds 
Trying to tell me I’m capable 
Trying to tell me I’m strong 
Trying to be the loudest 
Trying to be heard 
Voices in the whirlwinds from my past 
Loud too, hoping to hold me back 
Telling me to stop 
Telling me I’ll fail 
Telling me no one cares 
Telling me I’m not good enough 
My brain is on fire 
Itching, burning as I try to break free 
Tantalizing ideas sprout 
Tantalizing abilities evolve 
Tantalizing feelings emerge 
Tantalizing voice strengthens 
A single personality clawing its way out 
Real me striving to become dominant 
Tenaciously drowning discordant noise 
Tenaciously clawing its way to the top 
Tenaciously driving towards freedom 
Tenaciously trying to escape.