NEPENTHE

How I Conquered the Elevator

Fourth floor, I stand,

With my bag filled with books,

And a heart crammed to burst,

With pure, simple fear.

(Deep breaths, deep breaths)

A smart beep rings,

And the elevator door opens,

Hailing me inside, with a malicious smile,

And a dead robotic female voice,

Says half-heartedly, 'Wel-come'.

(I can do this, I can do this)

It's filled with people of course,

Who are talking and smiling,

And laughing and eyeing each other,

The beautiful carefree world,

Of People Who Aren't Afraid Of Elevators.

My mouth dry, I gulp,

Wipe off the cold sweat and walk in,

Trying not to falter, and the door closes.

(Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.Oh no.)

The sour smell of metal.

Sweat. Jasmine scented hair oil.

Spicy musky perfume.

And the acrid, suffocating scent of fear.

I. Can't. Breathe.

No. Oxygen. Chest so tight.

(Don't be ridiculous!)

The elevator begins to descend,

My heart, of course, not to be outdone,

Plummets like a cannonball.

Fright has formed a second skin over me,

A python gripping its prey.

Blood rushes to my head,

It's like my skull is coming apart at the seams,

Nausea coils inside me, like an angry snake,

Dancing to the tune of my fear.

The elevator woman says, 'third floor',

(Come on! Only 3 more floors to go! I can do this!)

Dizziness has taken control of me,

I grip the icicle cold wall of the dreaded chamber,

Hell with steel walls and glowing buttons,

And pray and pray and pray.

'Second floor'

(Come on, warrior woman!!)

'First floor'

(Only one more to go!!!)

'Ground floor'

(YES!!!!!!!!!)

The elevator door opens to a gush of fresh air,

And I walk out like a zombie on Benadryl,

Relief, the only thing I can feel,

Smiling so hard it hurts.

I'm invincible. Why? Because,

I have conquered the elevator.

100% true story. It's tiny victories like these that make life worthwhile.

Thank you for reading!!!!