On the Edge - a Spoken Word Poem

I'm on the edge of a breakdown
Trying to hold myself together
Wanting to run far away
But knowing here
Is the best place to be
I wipe the tears
That escape and fall
Trying to not give in
To the flood I'm holding back
I know that life
Demands that I be strong
So I bury me weakness
Hoping no one can see
I'm grasping at anything
To keep me going
Fighting to not be crushed
By the weight
Threatening my every breath
There are moments I am overcome
And I lose control
Over all that rages inside
Till I'm able to grab hold of it again
And force the pieces back into place
But the cracks are there
Bulging at the seems
With all that is screaming to escape
Still I find the strength
To hold my head up
Refusing to drown
In the abyss of emotion and fear
I ignore my thoughts
Pushing them away
And curse the feelings
That are fatal to my heart
Looking for hope in the mist
Searching for help in the darkness
Believing there are better days
On the other side
Clinging to the purpose
Of my existence
Knowing I won't give up
Even if I fall apart