this is how i awaken.
the dust i choke on floats away and
shrink to nothing within my last breaths,
unclogging my gashes and wounds
giving space for the poison to seep out.
this is how i awaken
with the decay of her madonna-veil and
a bright eye piercing the game.
this is how i awaken.

this is how i die.
the floor i stand on drops from my feet
thousands of miles a second,
buzzing air encircling our shoulders
knitting our skin closer together.
this is how i die
with my hands in your curly hair and
a kiss so loving on my forehead.
this is how i die.