Sliding Backwards

My heart is in my throat
I can taste blood
Tearing through my chest
I have to fight to breathe
Fear is no stranger to me
Fear that I'll never be
Adequately
Equipped
Fear that I'll be tripped
As I'm walking up the stairs
Smashing my face on the steps
Unable to grip the railing
Always failing
To keep myself
From the downwards
While looking upwards
Seeing my target
Slip from me
I just want to stop
Sliding backwards
So that I can finally
Make my way to the top