Suffocation

air so thick no words can sound
only sad looks and slowed movements
a head shaking side to side.

arms clutched tight around himself
around his life
around the only part of him that hasn't left.

as hands grip tighter with slipping fingers
sad eyes well up tears from years long passed
and in a moment a decade is relived.

his heart's record just skips 
the tune hasn't changed in years
the song's long gone but the static still plays.

he'd rather die than come up for air
holding what weighs him down 
his one last hope at clinging to his life

he had to let go.
with the pressure mounting and the dead weight gaining
he had to let go. 

he shot upwards, 
faster than his rock could hope to sink
he did not belong so far below the clouds.

gasping for air like a newborn
clinging blindly to the arms which pulled him out
laying on the floor and crying like a baby.

he's let go of one
and started a new
this life can only be better.