Words in the Dark

because all around me
i feel the dark
i feel it clinging
curling
around my bonelike arms

but i whisper
here against my pillow
whisper clenched-fist words
rescue
rescue
rescue
breathing bruises
from a small and purple heart

i breathe
words as thin and false
as cotton candy
trust
trust
trust

make them real to me

you will rescue me
illuminate the night
turn the bands of darkness
into bracelets
glittering on my arms

and as i sleep

i breathe your name

    — iva m

[originally written Sunday, December 13, 2015, 9:30 PM]