You carry all your weight-
Tightly stretched across your face
Like evidence or proof that everything aged you

I measured steady breaths
(afraid of truth, or of being rebuked)
"what horrible things cling to you?"

I did not expect to get an answer at all
Or for your to let your guard down

But either a ghost or a sigh escaped you

Your color fled, though your resistance would not be moved

You said, "when you have given so much, so little remains

Like a wound that will never heal, all that's left is to wait"