And I became a shadow broken
on the streets of introspection
latching on to
the better hour of days past

the air bitters with each breath
each thought
each moment
that will not be exhaled
as the chest caves
pinning the heart
against each stubborn heartbeat; hiccups
imitating life

and so I cling to the half
where no grave calls me by name
and the heart starts to beat
backward
to take cover