insulin

synthetic

with a plastic smell

bitter

(though maybe this taste

is only in my head)

I sway

raise my eyes to the stars

breathe

(inhale – exhale

that’s the mantra for today)

my hair is heavy

from the rain

it sticks to my neck and cheeks

(with cold fingers

I tuck them behind)

adrenaline hits me

and shakes

my hands

(I stand still

and give myself away to the panic)

it will pass

it will go away

- in a moment

or a few

(stars blink

double and triple themselves)

if I could scream

- my voice would have crumbled the buildings

if I could breathe

- I would have awakened tornados