Your chest becomes tight
All the air is somehow escaping
You can't breathe, you start to panic
So, you GASP
It works, you take another deep breath
Your chest is still tight, but you can breathe
It's going to be okay.... you think

But then the butterflies and bees start to travel
From fingertip to fingertip
Fluttering and stinging along the way
You remind yourself to just keep breathing
You shake your shoulders and head in a shivering motion
Trying to guide the fluttering and stinging objects out and away
They slow down...they hang out in the palms of your hands
Your head nods in agreement to some silent thought
It's going to be okay.... you think

You get out of your car and walk to your destination
Smiling and saying hello to those you see
You keep reminding yourself to just breathe...and smile
You hear the paranoia starting somewhere deep in the darkness
You try to ignore it, to pretend it's not there
That voice...that horrible, awful voice
Telling you things you don't want to hear
It's your voice, betraying you
No one likes you; they're all talking bad about you; they think you're worthless
Shut up.... you think as the butterflies and bees start back on their path from fingertip to fingertip
You watch the clock...tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock
Remember to breathe, Shut up, don't forget to smile...tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock