I have eaten lead my last three meals.

My face flush

My hands quake

Is this what fibrillation feels like?

I have not drank in days.

My knees knock

My feet numb

I taste blood from the lip unaware I was biting.

I bring a hand to my face

My fingers ice

My cheek inferno

The palm appeases my cheek, the cheek defrosts my palm.

I look at my scrawl on the page.

My lungs steady

My intention firm

From barren throat comes a shaken rasp.

I speak.