Life Of An Athlete Poem by Lexi Balla

You know the feeling.
It only comes
after you are
pushed
and
pushed
and
pushed
to be something
that you know
you are not.
You know the feeling.
The stress
the pressure
of everyone around you
they're all doing it.
Why can't you?
you ask yourself.
It's so easy.
One hit.
One drink.
You'll be like the rest of them.
Then.
You try to think
say
do I really want to mess myself up?
and walk away
only to live
another day
the life of an athelete.