sleepless eyes
stare hopelessly upward
it's 4:00 am
I should go

don't run . . . don't
just breathe
remember,
I am the sickness that
pulls the trigger
on the starters gun

that's just my reflection
in your eyes
like some carnival mirror
playing tricks on me

still . . . madness chokes
the labored breath of sanity
that is stronger than my faith
and everything matters
at 4:00 am

then I touch you
and trace remains of
your sweet kisses, soft tongue
the memory of you
inside my mouth
softens the grip around my neck