A Walk in the Park

They said it would be easy,

a simple walk in the park.

But I knew better,

with each step came a pounding in my head,

a weight around my arms,

a vice around my throat.

I couldn't keep going,

but I had to,

forced to press on,

choking on the heaviness that dragged me down.

The final ascent seemed insurmountable,

the end a distant dream,

but I fought for each breath,

clutching at each haggard breath,

ignoring the whispers of failure,

trusting in the echoes of triumph within me.

I was close, so close,

my goal within reach,

until—

"Lovely day in the park, isn't it?"

Yes, it was,

I am most definitely in a park on a lovely,

sunny day,

with flowers blooming all around me,

birds singing and children laughing,

and a soft, cool breeze washing over my skin,

and—

"A death walk? Haha, how ironic."

The echoes fade,

and I am left standing,

alone, in the park,

breathing deep and laughing,

in the quiet moments—

the moments of peace and clarity,

those that I fight for,

but I am alive,

breathing,

and maybe—

maybe—

I should just enjoy it,

My little walk in the park.

Written by Claudia Wysocky
Writer

Claudia Wysocky, a Polish writer and poet based in New York, is known for her diverse literary creations, including fiction and poetry. Her poems, such as "Stargazing Love" and "Heaven and Hell," reflect her ability to capture the beauty of life through rich descriptions. Besides poetry, she authored "All Up in Smoke," published by "Anxiety Press." With over five years of writing experience, Claudia's work has been featured in local newspapers, magazines, and even literary journals like WordCityLit and Lothlorien Poetry Journal. Her writing is powered by her belief in art's potential to inspire positive change. Claudia also shares her personal journey and love for writing on her own blog, and she expresses her literary talent as an immigrant raised in post-communism Poland.