Gasping with heartbeat determination
lungs collapsed beneath the weight
her face went pale at the sight of me.

tubes pouring out of nostrils, elbows,
wrists, the blue overtook and a swarm
of nurses descend to the work they
dread but trained for anyway.

Eyes begged to close, chest crying
for it all to stop, a topaz pill placed
under my tongue bitter and sharp
and the smell of fresh plastic as
the oxygen mask covers my tears.