Exhale

I held my breath for far too long

Afraid to hear the sound

Of what might echo in this space

Once silence wraps around

I thought that stillness meant control

A room I wouldn't break

But walls don't bendthey swallow whole

And never give, just take

The air grew thick with everything

I failed to scream or say

I wore my name like shattered glass

And bled it all away

I saw myself in second skin

A shadow one breath wide

No voice, no step, just presence left

Too hollow now to hide

There is no flame, no final spark

No whisper to erase

Just one exhale that leaves me bare

Then folds me into space

I don't remember how to speak

Without your name in tow

But now I breathe without it once

And feel myself let go

Not freedom

Not forgiveness

Just the end

Of breath