Learning Curves: A Poetry Collection

Roman Empire

The person I want to talk to
Unable to be reached
My fearful-avoidant mind
Fights demons in my dreams

Do I watch the film
Until the end of time?
Or listen to the whispers
Running in my mind?

How to know the truth
When all you've known is lies?
Trying to be trusting
The telephone's still rusting

A temple and a garden
A tower and a bell
Take the road less traveled
Until all of Rome has fell

Breathing exercises fail
To halt my shallow gasps
Feeling as you fade away
From my desperate grasp  

And maybe I am lying
To myself and you
Cause all I am is trying
To fight my way through

One side calls for me to run
To flee from kindred hearts
The other pulling at my sleeve
To allow a brand new start

Anxiety is powerful
Avoidance is it's foe
My mind is battling itself
Not sure which way to go (2/27/24)