Take My Breath

i hadn't let

anyone's arms

wrap around me

until you came.

i didn't want the aching throb

of emptiness

when you left.

so i buried my head in the warm sand

built sandcastles that collapsed

and watched the waves dance alone at night.

i found things that wouldn't make me hungry

for your lips dripping with candy

your breath to breathe into me

to bring me to life.

my ability

to move air

out of my own lungs

escapes with you.

so i found the sunset myself

so when you would leave

like the all do

i wouldn't get down on my knees

and hold your ankles

so you couldn't go.

i let you hold me

for a while

but the whole time

i was thinking

of how if you weren't there

i'd still be

breathing.