I begged for mercy in waiting rooms- treated the stale scent like incense and iridescent lights like a halo. Made the cold floor my alter and asked God for a bargain. Lit a town on fire with my eyes. Sliced through every emotion with my teeth until I choked. Swallowed fear. Cried a sea of tears only to find out that I can’t swim. So if you’re wounded, please don’t come find me. My bandages are bloodied too. I’m tired. And when I think about it all- every inch of air the world took from my lungs. The moments that strangled me. The parts where I found nothing in what I thought was everything. I think about me. How there was always a sadness and I knew better than to think otherwise. Saw the world for what it was and asked it for nothing. Said my prayers and told God to come find me if I’m out of line. But please don’t ask me to try and heal anyone else for a long time. -AMT©️