The Very Oxygen That Kills Her (IK)

[seraph1420]

She wakes in the middle of her sleep
And gasps
Not for more air but to swallow
The one that's inside
The very air that keeps her alive
Chokes her till she's blue
At night in her sleep
She wakes up and coughs
And coughs and chokes
Till tears run down those rosy cheeks
It's like she's being suffocated
Literally
Like that guy she dumped, cursed her
On the very oxygen that goes down
Her lungs
She doesn't know what's holding her breaths
It's more like she wants this entity to get it over with
Than to torture her at 4 am
She coughs and no one sees
She could might as well just get tired
Of gasping and let it go

Would anyone notice?

[dwells]

Sleep apnea, asthma, or maybe emphysema - all terrible and as close as one might come to drowning without getting wet. The guy added an element of surprise and perhaps a panic attack as well. My wife wakes up screaming sometimes from night terrors - always has / part of the package. She has no recollection; but vitamin B seems to help her "medical mystery". Like clockwork at 45 minutes asleep usually (R.E.M. state). Feeling for your protagonist here Sana; you have captured the essence of it all - cheers! - Dan

[felixta99]

Amazing description and no problems at all with the flow, good job!

[Dew]

felt like reliving the shock of a moment - very PTSD-like. Nothing is quite like being in a quiet, safe place of rest and being terrorized by your own mind and body...choking on oxygen is ironic like that - dew

[seraph1420]

This piece holds a special place in my heart, since, I wrote about a personal experience. I wake up at nights at times choking on my own breath. It's as crazy as it sounds.
Your comments are appreciated

Cheers y'all

[WriterMinuit]

A sad story which I thought really effectively examined the lingering scars of abuse long after that abuse is over. I loved the personification of her choking which was presented as an entity- the phantom of her ex. It really was tragic that we could not help her; not even the 3rd person narrator detached from the scene.
The final question posed was haunting. Indeed this is happening throughout our cities to people abused in relationships and families.
You really touched me with this Seraph. I have bookmarked it.

Your friend,
Eámonn.

[rupertpupkin]

Hi. I sometimes suffer from sleep paralysis. Usually when I'm over tired. Dug this poem and
liked the kind of guilty vibe running through. Well done on your spotlight. Loved it.

[seraph1420]

Hey, thank you so much y'all! I appreciate all your replies!

Love!