A taut and vivid poem that captures the moment when emotion, memory, or circumstance tightens unexpectedly—when life goes from “just enough” to “barely held.” With sharp imagery and rhythm that echoes a physical tightening, this piece draws the reader into the visceral sensation of being gripped: by fear, by longing, by what cannot be released. Perfect for readers who appreciate poetic snapshots that linger long after the last line.