Beat

Content warning: allusions to traumatic events

I run, I walk, I jump

I laugh

For it is joyful

I run faster, I walk farther, I jump higher

My heart quickens its beats

My breath becomes shallow

My body remembers

Remembers fast breath and racing heart

I am afraid

For my body remembers

I am back in time

When my heart pounded

And my breath caught

And I could not get away

The joy of movement is far

I beat and I breathe against the fear and memory

If only I’d remember the joy