Speak Up

I could feel the water rising higher and higher as I walked down the stairs.
But I kept going.
Curiosity.
I knew it thought I had drowned.
But I know me and I'm stronger than that.
I could feel my heart beating as I held my breath.
But I kept going.
Curiosity.
Knew that's what it wanted.
For me to drown.
I smiled because I knew I was too strong for that.
I could feel my insides burning.
Needing air.
But I kept going.
Curiosity.
It thought it had me just where it wanted me.
I laughed to myself.
Light-headed but confident.
We both smiled now.
Confident.
But a little confused as to why we shared the same look of satisfaction on our faces.
I looked at it in the eye as hard as I could.
It knew how scared I was.
That's all I can remember.
I guess it's given up because I'm floating now.
And the burning sensation is gone.
I have over come.
-2006

I wrote this very recently after I stopped using meth. Today (6/17/2014) marks 8 years clean.