Oxygen

The city breathes through silver lungs, Its windows never open. I keep a forest on my tongue, A word I haven’t spoken. Above the roofs, a pale sun turns Behind a veil of wire. I touch the glass until it burns And dream the sky is fire. Let the air come rolling in, Break the seal and touch my skin. I have been away so long— I have been away so long— Give me breath to carry on. The planets turn like empty mills Beyond the last horizon. I hear the wind across the hills— The earth is still inside me. I used to think that leaving home Would make the darkness smaller.