Asthma

Posted on 2019/07/30 by Bartholomew Barker

Asthma

More wheezing than breathing,
like a blood pressure cuff
tightening around my chest.
Shoulders clenched to the neck,
eyes glassy, diaphragm sore,
exhausted from lack of air.

More panic than pain,
being wrung like a rag.
You try relaxing
when your heart drums
too little oxygen
from flaccid lungs.

Pray for that first deep open breath,
that gulp of cool water on a stifling day.

(Yesterday’s Living Poetry Prompt was “Inhale“.)

About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is one of the organizers of Living Poetry, a collection of poets and poetry lovers in the Triangle region of North Carolina. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he makes money as a computer programmer to fund his poetry habit.

View all posts by Bartholomew Barker →

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13 Responses to Asthma

J says:

2019/07/30 at 20:01

Ah… all too familiar!

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2019/07/30 at 20:04
  
  I write what I know. Hope this didn’t incite an attack for you.
  
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Lisa Tomey says:

2019/07/30 at 20:40

Oh my goodness! That’s what it feels like? WOW!! I am sorry for any suffering from this.

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2019/07/30 at 20:55
  
  It’s no fun. Fortunately, the inhalers these days offer quick relief. As boy I’d suffer for an hour or more.
  
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  - Lisa Tomey says:
    
    2019/07/30 at 21:58
    
    Grateful for inhalers.
    
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JeanMarie says:

2019/07/30 at 20:55

Best description of an asthma attack I’ve read.
“like a blood pressure cuff
tightening around my chest.”

Well done

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2019/07/30 at 20:57
  
  Thanks! Write what you know, right?
  
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- Sonya Kassam says:
  
  2019/08/02 at 00:47
  
  My daughter is asthmatic…gosh this is what it feels like :(
  
  Well written.
  
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  - Bartholomew Barker says:
    
    2019/08/02 at 08:25
    
    Thank you. The memories of my childhood asthma attacks are still strong. I’m fortunate that it doesn’t trouble me as much as an adult.
    
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jupitergrant says:

2019/08/02 at 16:14

Hope you’re doing okay 💖

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2019/08/02 at 16:42
  
  Don’t worry, I’m doing fine these days.
  
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awisewomansjourney says:

2019/08/18 at 16:53

Nice! <3

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2019/08/18 at 19:29
  
  Thank you. Glad you liked it.
  
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