gasping for air
and a life source that
doesn’t include
you
why are you
the reason
i breathe
the air around
me?

is that why
my lungs
feel like
they’re about
to
explode?

because you’re toxic
poisonous
nothing but
venom on
your tongue

i gave you kisses
you gave me hope
i gave you my life
you grated my soul
i collected my
tears in a jar
for you
you gave me distaste;

you
gave me away

gasping for air
from someone who
knows not how to
love
anyone besides
themselves
is like gasping
for air in
the universe