cycle

how long can a flame fight the river

before the rain turns it to ash

how long will the charcoal last

before the growth of grass takes over

how long can the weeds survive

before they drown in the muddy ocean

how long can clouds pour rain

before the wind turns the droplets to ice

how long can I stand frozen in time

before your smoke consumes every trace

of

me

of

everything

we were

nothing

left

i can’t

breathe

please

leave me

alone

and then we start over.

and over.

and over.

and over.