sizzling; simmering one by one, air bubbles begin to rise and then by 2s; 3s they race to the top; flocking to the surface spinning; swarming;
stop.
boiling water. that's what love is like; the onset and duration of an anxiety attack; it'll give you one, too, if you don't
stop.
because once it's begun, once again, you will stumble helplessly through a self-inflicting battleground of what can no longer be peaceful independence, but an inner war that you know you will lose, amidst the increasing rapidity of your own shots fired;
please
stop.
the water will boil until you rid your clutch on that stove; one hand on the gas, the other on the burner.