Carbonated

I have this cage around my chest
its metallic and bared so close together
My lungs can not properly expand.

Each breath stings my sternum 
As if its a titanium pole
that can not and will not bend
to cater to my abdomens movements.

My inhale is met with a tension in my shoulders
and this burning pulse close to my heart
while each exhale only makes me balloon further,
Until I'm a soda can waiting for
the carbonated bubbles to rise to the surface.

Its a weight.
heavy, heated, heightened
and as my blood pressure rises 
My hands try to relive my chest
of this strange pressure
By massaging.
Fighting for my lungs to open
Without bothering to find the key that made it close.

Because where that key is hidden 
might be worse than the metal bars.