Cut down

At the beginning

By the strike of a hammer

By a flash of anger

By a piercing thunder 

–

Sharp and shallow breaths,

Cold through and through

Splayed apart

In denial

“I must fight; I must fight”

–

What remains unfinished

Circles high above

Impossible 

Out of reach

For tomorrow to attain

–

Say a prayer

In the daze

In the fever-dream’s collapse

Save the name most cherished

For the tail of your breath