Lately when boys talk to me they all remind me of you.

I keep opening my mouth to respond

but I can only recall the way

You managed to wordlessly

teach me that my body is deceptively

beautiful.


It is only a cage to hide

the wildness that paces

restlessly beneath my ribs.


(I am empty without it

but even more so without you.)


I have learned to pull the words

that I would say

back inside and swallow them

even though they leave my throat

so raw I can feel their barbs

every time I remind myself to breathe.


I am still reminding myself to breathe

ever since you placed your lips on mine

and took my breath away.


Give it back.

         (I am suffocating.)

Come back.

         ( I am lonely.)

——