“it’s a moment’s shame to ask. it’s a lifetime’s shame not to ask.”

I’m talented at breathing, especially exhaling, so that my chest will rise and fall with yours.
I am fairly agile.. I can bend and not break. Or I can break and take it with a smile.
I’m talented with reason, I cover all the angles.. I can fail before I ever try.

Hours pass, and she still counts the minutes that I am not there..
I swear I didn’t mean for it to feel like this—like every inch of me is bruised