i remember ice that felt like fire.
it was strong, undiluted,
better than usual.
i stood for about ten seconds
before gravity pulled me to the pavement and tore open my skin.
two voices shouted my name
and two hands that were not mine lifted me off the ground
and carefully sat me back down.
i saw the blood, but i felt nothing
except for the ice running through my veins.
ice isn't supposed to burn though.
i thought about that in between
being force-fed bites of a snickers bar and
being reminded not to close my eyes
as more hands that were not mine
held damp paper towels against my damaged body.
my eyelids were so heavy and all i wanted to do was sleep,
but your voice urged me to stay awake, to talk to you.
you laughed when i said i didn't know what to talk about
and i cried when you asked me if i was scared
because oh god i was terrified.
it's been weeks.
a part of me is still terrified,
but another part of me craves it,
craves it like a person is supposed to crave
the oxygen they breathe.
and that is what terrifies me the most.