there’s pressure 
beneath this existence:  
splintering 
the boarded up walls warping
the foundation
providing no security or time 
to ask questions or 
listen for answers.
only to see and know 
what it is to exist. to breathe
what is right in front of you. 
put your ear to my chest
just once before 
it stops beating; 
become familiar with the sound
of the world 
coming to an end.

beside me // a.sm