Not Fine

How am I feeling?
I’m fine. The same.
Though, now that you ask,
I reassess. I gauge.
That minor tinge of
something so small
could be something
or nothing at all.
I try not to worry,
yet something’s amiss.
This dull pain creeps
into my consciousness.
Attacking my senses.
Confusing my lungs.
I grasp for some air.
Precious little comes.
In a matter of moments
this small seed of pain
lodged itself in my back
and spread to my brain.
The sweat on my neck
shows my fear is real.
How strange that now “fine”
is not how I feel.

© Sarah Porwoll 2020