Fained Gills

In your absence, the concrete laid beside me. Assumed the role of lover’s palm, cleansed the bubbling blood from lips.

In your absence, I shined under the swirling sterile lights. Wires adorn body. Tubes and tape frame face. Gowned an oversized smock.

Anchored in a blue-makeshift room, curtains flutter as nurses waved pass. Clocked company – twelve-hour. too tired shiftees. Compassion priced by the hour. Gurgling and gasping for fained care. Tender touch from tin caged beds.

I should’ve known you would never stay. I’m who sold self for romance. You seldom spent a thought on us.

Everyone else demanded the tale, too late to play witness. And so, to pass time without you, I drank every syllable. Foamy memory of colliding cars. Like your kisses, let the prick of salt scratch against my throat. even in death I won’t rest.

My emergency contact. Stuck to a cider floor. Pocketing their lovers missed calls, toasting to their absence.