My breath catches in my throat

i exhale deliriously

my breath betrays my surprise

my mind recoils; my breath contracts, expands, labours

my throat hisses my uncertainty

exhalation in turmoil escapes my livid lung, and pulses of distracted air burst in rough pockets to reveal the crumbling facade of my bastion certainty.

AAAaaaah, i say

from my core emerges air, uncalm and pained

i gasp in shock

thankyou, that was a a fun game.

peace.

verb

To breathe hard: blow 1, huff, pant, puff. See breath

To utter in a breathless manner: heave, pant

Immobilized by fear

Bound by fascinated horror

Horrifically mesmerized

Dumbstruck

Oops what did I step in?

“startled”

“lost the ability to speak”

“tried to scream, but couldn’t”

“wide-eyed and open-mouthed”

catch your breath in surprise (or astonishment)