A vision of you with
Dandelions and
Braids in your hair

Hovers
Before my mind's eye

Trapped in a
Split-second slice of
Time

A finger snap
A single flap
Of a hummingbird's wing

And this image of you
Hardens into
A sulfur colored seed

Which drops down from
My mind into
My mouth

Upon my tongue
It tastes
Of bitter beauty

I clench my teeth
And swallow
This pill, if you will

It falls
Into my lungs like
Pellets in a gas chamber

Ammonia and
Acid and
That painful, yellow vapor

Replacing
The air in my chest

I remind myself
Of the feeling of
A newborn baby's hand
Wrapped around
My finger

I grip tightly
The arms of
My chair

I do not breathe

I will not breathe

I cannot breathe