punched

PUNCHED
By Ethel C. Butler   05/08/2021

Whew!!!!
My eyes squeezed tight
Inhale from the pain as air escapes from my lungs.
Thinking about why it happened.
Crumbled in pain, knocked down
Can’t breathe
Gasping for air.
Whirlwind of emotions floating through my mind.
What just happened?
Legs knocked out from underneath
Laying on the ground looking up
Barely breathing
Pain in the ribs, and stomach, heart aching almost not beating,
stinging tears in the eyes.
Mind is turning
What just happened?
Who did I take this for?
Why was I punched?
Broken pieces of heart lay all over.
No more excuses, tenderness, touch, no more pleasure.
Only turmoil and misunderstanding rolling inside my brain.
Trying to catch my breath.
Whew!!
Eyes slowly re-opening.
Air is slowly coming back into my lungs
What just happened?
As I lay there on the ground.
No air in the lungs to scream words from the mouth.
“OH!!! The pain
Don’t apologize,
It came from you.
I took the blow because you gave it.”
Heavily breathing looking up,
my ribs are sore, stomach nauseated
Legs are regaining strength.
Heart is rapidly pounding as I grab up the pieces from the ground to put it back together.
Tears still flowing down.
Eyes refocusing, still dazed and stinging
Everything is blurred
Why did it happen?
Hey, can’t you see the hearts circling around my head because of you?
Can you feel my soul when your arms are hugging me?
Do you know I get butterflies in my stomach when your close to me?
Do you know my legs get weak when you touch me?
Do you know that?
I got punched.
No air in my lungs.
Then you reach your hand out for me. Only for me.
I look around for others yet, it's only me.
 I’m the only one.
I reach up to take your hand, with wet stained eyes.
As you help me slowly to my feet, letting me know it’s alright.
You pull me close then closer, embracing me in your arms ever so gently
until you feel my heartbeat.
Air comes back into my lungs.
As you slowly exhale.