Box Breathing

Tight chest
short breath

a relatively new feeling
that has happened once or twice

feel like I could cry

start to hyperventilate

box breathing, box breathing, I thought

In, out, in, out
In. Out.

just a few more

30 minutes on

feel like I might throw up, I said

I know, he said

like he’d felt it before

breathe, he said

Drink water
then back out

It’s nearly over—
Jesus to God, he said

When the moment passes
the chest relieves itself

The hope is
this body will desensitise itself.