sometimes i can breathe
in the dead of night
without you
beside me
and it makes me feel
so proud

chains rattle and hiss
they slide and slither around my feet
poisonous serpents i cannot escape
twisting my steps into unknown paths
foiling my legs, movements truncated
falling to my knees, they climb
screaming, incoherent rage, wordless struggles
and they whisper
whisper
whisper
WHISPER
of codes and consequences
of right and wrong
breathless i scream in silent wrath
jaw distended, creaking
they wrap up my unsaid words
force their way down my throat
chaining tight my beating heart
beating
beating
beating
bea....


Peace.

it's hard to breathe
for her

the pen in her hand
is leaking
staining her fingertips
deep blue
becoming smeared
across the empty
page

the scratches
aren't forming
words
or even letters

and her tears
are becoming sobs
until she has to hold her mouth shut
with one hand
and her eyes
closed
with the others

blue
of her soul
a part of the ocean
mixing with the words
she wants to say
painting her
the way he did
in the stillness

glass jars
breaking
at her feet
with one sweep
dried flowers
run
with water
racing towards
the door
that will be shut
forever

i keep finding myself
wanting to be drowning in your eyes
and then i remember
that i have forgotten
the sound of your voice

why was it
so much easier
to memorize your smile