I remember when we met
A field somewhere
I could never forget
Nor find again
My unlit cigarette
You had no lighter to lend
I was throwing something away
I had no idea at the time

And you always felt tragic
Not quite vital
And so eager to break
A great distance away
And then I broke
And broken we met at our borders
Allied that time you let me play you like
A drum trying to breathe

I suppose none could endure
No weight could compare
Be counter-balance to the ghost
Of a constant expiration date
Breathing hot and crisp against the neck
I always felt connected
A way you would understand better
We unlike others
Who grew up invincible
We heard the echoes of seconds and
We put on brave faces
We wrought foul dominion over our truths
I would purge the gravity with a quiet sigh
But no deep breath would cleanse you
I felt a brother in you

I saw you smile for the first time
Through somebody else's lungs
As you had been denied
The could have been
Should have been
Without addendum, stipulation,
Without reservation
I saw you smile for the first time
Through somebody else's lungs