I asked for my imaginary friend from elementary
to make his presence known   and there was no
mystery coin
Instead, there was a late night cough,   the swelling
of my esophagus   so potent  was it,  the blood
came back up, enmeshed with my bile and phlegm

and there I found myself, lightheaded on my loveseat,
with my arms grasping at my belly,  and a lover
on the bed   his eyes reflecting back all the contents.