The Elephant

to the elephant that

lives in my chest,

I'm sorry to say, 

but you must 

find someplace 

else to rest,

the elephant says 

we need each other 

because everyone 

needs someone to love, 

so I said I'd protect them 

and that would be enough

the elephant 

begged of me

"Please, you can't take 

me back to the circus, 

it's all for show, 

there is no fun!"

the elephant and I, 

the closer we become

the closer I am 

to reaching the 

day when all 

comes undone

I can’t live without

the elephant, 

and they can’t go 

on without me

but the larger it 

grows, the less 

air I have in my

lung’s capacity

some days are 

easier, but today 

feels the hardest

to breathe

I know that 

I'm the one 

who must 

carry them,

so I will

keep hiding 

the elephant 

underneath

- Leah Rae