you need to take better care of yourself

simultaneous to the opposite

stealing time to breathe

as an ending oxygen withdrew

you look the better part of the wear

as a meter spiraled advancing

all in the service of their expectations of me

plates spun

trapeze dancers

sideshow acrobats

pictures meant to brighten, rather a longing

all in the service of my expectations of me

so, beginning there instead

he said

and breathed