I sensed it’s change in the air

As the clouds began to darken and converge

It forced me into the earth

Forcing my nose to break and bleed

Cutting my teeth

Blinding my eyes

Shattering my ribs

Cracking my spine

Pushing my shoulders down farther and farther

Stretching my sockets thin

My soul clings on to dear life

My body is then lifted out of the earth

Into the warm sunlight

Fingertips slowly piece me back together

They contour my nose

Mend my ribs

Straighten my spine

Gently rub the dirt from my eyes

As the rub my shoulders they whisper in my ear

You're going to be alright

You did your best

After this, my soul is taken and contorted

Created into the sought-after perfection

Their my parents after all

I should trust that they know what's best for me, right

When does it stop

When is it ever enough

Does their love run as deep as my greatness

I feel like I don't even aspire or achieve for myself anymore 

It's all for them

It’s okay for them to push for what's best for me but when will it stop

When will they realize, they may have gone too far

Will they even recognize when

My breathe hitches when I press the submit button

My heart races

My heart doesn't stop racing until I tell them my score

Either they will smile and I will melt

Or the scorn and I crumble

I'm on the field

Ball between my feet 

I feel their eyes inches away

Piercing my every move

I love the game with all my heart

I truly do

When will that be enough, though

During the car ride home, I can feel disappointment bouncing off the walls

One point away from a perfect score

I tried my best 

I truly did

It's still not enough

My candle is almost burnt out

I fear failure and everything that comes with it

The disappointment the most

It’s as if I don’t achieve perfection

Then why am I even here?