I love this. The imagery and even the word choice - "houses streaming," "recycled air" - come together so well. The emotions, or rather the struggle of emotions, comes across to the reader clearly and perhaps even too clearly (got me all caught up in a knot).

I can identify with this struggle but in the end, I always feel a sense of relief after getting the words down on paper - not just any words, but the right words. I especially like the refrain and the ending is just right. Well done.