Lung Labours II
By Lamisse
Lung Fragment 1:
The lung is a map. The constriction is a message. Help lodged in trachea. The bronchial tree shakes. Alveoli tremble: they cannot inhale if they cannot exhale. Tar seeps through filling bronchiole tubes. Tunnels narrow. Collapse. Cilia singed, amputated antibodies and debilitated. No breath escapes. The heart tilts left. Indentation marks the compression spot. No breath escapes.
Lung Fragment 2:
Lung trapped by tears refused release > here the muscle ossifies in resistance to grief >
Holding lung hostage > encased in sinewed subjugation
Air bair makes it in > Air can barely espace
Each microscopic alveoli holds one tear > that’s 480 million swelling tears
Diaphragm braced for the punch > I long for a soft belly
My muscle is memorizing defense > my body a repetition of survival
Hear my laugh obliterate > I will brief the sun on how to rise
Hot breath panting, bellies jiggling
I long for a soft belly
I long
To breathe.