i believed in the feeling of moisture on my skin
as if it were the air telling me
"the heat is over. you are safe, now."

the yawn in the back of my throat
curious to see what captivated me
despite the secondhand smoke
the smell of matches
unwashed hair

the highway is only ever two lanes
but the stillness of the world
before stepping foot into a sanctuary
gave me something.

maybe not a purpose
or even something to enjoy
but it was something, where i had nothing.

the dew upon the fall
the end of a season of learning
the start of a season of fighting

well, i guess it kept me going.