asphyxiate

You are caught somewhere between my
Skull and the buzzing of
Blood and voices.
With my eyes open I see you
Lying in a box of photos, trying to
Stick together old love-letters.

Someone’s fingers are wrapped
around my lungs trying
To squeeze the smoke stains out,
And failing;
when sharp nails puncture tissue
So every breath feels like inhaling liquid ice.

You are in my limbs
With every stretch and every flex
You twist around my bones, moving my hands
To your own desires
With no consideration for cramps
Or crushed finger-tips.

I wanted to swallow you, to keep your hands
Inside a distended stomach, your cheek resting
Against a weak heart.  In the cavity
Beneath my lungs we would
Lie together in the dark, waiting for
Shadows on the wall to tell us that
It is finally morning.