Breathe Again

Empty of life’s breath,

I take a gulp of air

into my hollow essence

thirsting to fill

my concave valley

with sparkling drops

of silvered water

soothing me in tiny sips

beneath

my floundering surface.

I beg to fill my soul,

overcome by drumming heart,

scraped by sloughing skin,

bloodless ties

torn asunder,

ribbons of my sobs.

I incise my body

of my wounds,

swallow my need

and memories of you.

At last, I take another

gasp of breath

expelling space to fill

my lungs with inhaled

pulse of zephyrs

beginning anew

as wet cheeks are met

with loving hands

grasping me

in their calming heat.