i) unravel slowly,

make each breath an affirmation.

i am here, living, existing, true.

in a rush of billowing pink smoke,

do not crumble; but fold neatly

make your collapse your rise

inhale but do not breathe

tie this ribbon over your eyes

and count to ten.

 

ii) we are here now, so don’t let

your words slip from the soles

of your feet or the sugar from

under your tongue and you will

no longer be the portrait we paint

but your blood will be the ink

in the letters we write.

 

iii) quiet fire, masked in lead

sleep now, you don’t

need awareness to smile

in this shade of red

hush now.

 

iv) night-drops

of skin flake, you

are cold now.

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v) sleep in rotting pearls.