By Natalie Ware, TIWP Student

When I was younger I would wish I could curl up in a ball 
Whenever I got overwhelmed 
Some days I would wrap myself in a blanket and crawl on the floor 
Because I liked how it felt 
To pretend no one else was there 
And if they were judging me I wouldn’t have to care

Like when you would fake being asleep 
So you could be carried in from the car at night 
You care about me 
But you don’t know my mind is still upright

If I was in a coma
I would love it. 
I would eat up the attention 
Like the feeding tube full of bits 
Everyone would be so worried 
Watching you lifeless on the bed 
I would hope they don’t know 
I’m still there in my head 

And they can’t judge me 
You can’t judge my cracked lips 
And hospital gown
Act like you would 
When I’m not around 

I trauma dump on the internet 
But I can’t go outside
I want to see your reaction 
If you thought I wasn’t alive