Center in the Atmosphere

Breathe me in.
Huff-huff and go
we don’t belong here.

It’s in the air around you.
The scent of the spice
exudes from your pores.
Hiding your clothes is no longer effective.

Give in.
They tell you to try harder,
to shower before you walk to their house.
Your constant ablutions mean nothing.

Who are you fooling?
You worked to perfect their clipped accent,
but you shortened the wrong vowels
and they know.

Assuage.
The word tripped you up and dragged you down
so have some more. Rise yourself up
but not like that, enough of the silliness.

It won’t **** you.
Say your mother was *****,
you might as well whisper it to them.
They’ll believe anything.

A moment more.
The days will drag by
and your face will crack
and the Children of the Sky will look down.
Their gaze will seek to strip you;
your raspy breath will betray you.

Don't exhale.