Held Down

It takes longer
To stand up

The floor holds
More than it should

I feel it
Through my shoes

I shift my weight
It doesn’t help

I move carefully
Not because it hurts
Because it might

I stop halfway
To rest
From starting

The air feels
Thicker

Each breath
Presses back

I don’t rush
Anything
Anymore

I stay still
To recover
From moving

Time stretches
Without direction

Something settles
On my shoulders

Evenly
Without warning

I roll them
Once
It stays

The room holds
Its shape

I lean
Into it

The floor doesn’t move
I do

Time doesn’t pass
It accumulates

Layer by layer
Without sound

I’m not falling
I’m being held

I don’t push back
I can’t tell
If that matters