Snakes curling around my ribs

Shifting and twitching, forming my cartilage

Wringing the air from my lungs

The breath curling out of my mouth in the same way water falls from a cloth

Eyes closed and lips curled

Pain shooting from chest to finger tips

Warm palms ensnare my hands

A voice tells me to hold on, to breathe

Snakes untangle, uncoil from my bony sternum

Met with concerned eyes

He grins and tells me I’m safe

Taking my full weight upon himself

Lifting me from smothering ash

To blinding light

He makes me smile when tears threaten to drown me

He reminds me of the beautiful things

Carries me during an uphill war

An awe inspiring boy in a backwards town

My awesome boy