Still

Bleeding,

Broken,

Mentally unstable.

My alarm clocks goes off for work.

Throw the covers off,

Try to ignore the cough,

Put on a smile and make sure to not question the boss.

There’s a pain in my chest,

Sound, wait, I must get dressed.

I’m distressed,

pressed, tested to the umpteenth degree.

The melanin in my skin shows otherwise.

I should be grateful,

Thankful,

In all aspects respectful.

I felt my heart stop,

my suit and heels are a prop.

“Where is my laptop?”

I can’t be late for work,

I can’t be late for life,

I can’t take a day off.

Because,

Because,

Because.

I still have to go on.

I still have to move forward.

Too many people depend on me.

Too many people need me,

Don’t you see?
I cannot be.

I was not afforded the luxury to only exist.

I must persist,

else I become dismissed.

Just one more day,

A few more minutes,

and then it’ll all be over.

-N