Laying.

by Anthony Gaba

Awake, early in the morning
The sun is still drowsy
Shadows whispering dreams to me
Or nightmare seeds, really
Emotions float like paper boats
Over a raging sea
No integrity, capsizing
Lost beneath, buried deep
Body becomes heavy, dense, lead
A shallow-moving chest
Caging two lungs grasping for air
Debilitating rest
Cresting over the horizon
The sun traveling, greeting
Beams of light meet my weary eyes
Starting the day chained, not freely.

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Anthony Gaba writes from Sunny Southern California. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He’s currently attending the University of California, Riverside, pursuing a double major in English and Creative Writing. Find him on Instagram @chaoswalkingpoetry.