With a throat so burned
and a smile so weak
with a heart that skips
the occasional beat
her lips work so hard
to form a consoling word
that she lives in silent
she listens
she waits
but all she ever feels
is hurt
emotions roaring
from stomach to bowl
hands become
disturbingly cold
pushing down, down,
further still
screaming in her head
aching in her chest
she collapse in exhaustion
onto her bed.