if you

were here

the world would be a different color

your breath would mix

with the winds’ forever movement

your gaze

would turn the sky

deeper, bluer

madness from these parts

passes. i know him

in an instant:

he recites a poem

cryptic, nonsensical

i fear some day

i’ll suffocate under a pile

of my poetry drafts

thankfully

i have a long nose

     for breathing