how long does it take to drown?
in a cupful of water
or a teaspoon of sound,
a year or more, by my count.

each smile that you hitch
your heart on
is just another anchor
weighing you down,
and every folded paper life-raft
crumples under the pressure.

every gasp of i love you, i need you,
is one you make to hear your own breath
echoing under these lonely expanses
and one gasp closer to death.

09/23/2011

Posted on 09/24/2011
Copyright © 2025 Vikki Owens