All around me,

People talking,

Laughing,

Whispering.

Poking fun at each other.

I see them,

But I'm not here.

I'm on a home movie,

Maybe,

That's why I feel this way.

I'm aware of my surroundings,

Of the people,

Of my friends,

Of the voices calling to me.

But I can't move.

I can't respond.

I can barely breathe.

I can feel the distance,

Like a brick wall that'll never be conquered.

Like a shutting off.

Like isolation.

And it stabs.

But I can't stab back,

I can't even lift a finger.

I'm frozen,

Trapped,

Paralyzed.

In time.

In this moment.

Then,

someone slaps me,

And I'm back.

I recovered.

I'm here.