no one asked if you could breathe
they just wanted to know if you remember the date
what you were thinking when you froze, nobody cared
just if there was a bruise, perhaps a slice – an account shared

with whom, where and what time
doesn’t it sound like a love affair
when your little self craved validation like air
hoping your skull would be intact every time

those turbulent nights you could not go for a walk
for if you walked out you should never come back
these quiet mornings when you no longer wish to talk
can i talk you out of breaking your neck

can i save you – just you, if i so yearn
would you abandon the sun when it’s started to burn
or would you survive and sacrifice
for breathing alone could not possible suffice

ashford, 16 july 2026