HEARTLUNG

by Samuel Proof

Smokers proofbox
psychosomatic swallowing torment
nervous portended
fear acknowledger
feel that I'm a choking victim
with a dark pink infection
chord of heated pinhole
dirty lung neck
course bastard
opening closing no deep breaths
make it right
tingling frustration
take this gruff heart breath
break my rationalizing mind
make it right
heart victim
deep heart, heart choker
clear my throat
pay the toll
can't cross that bridge yet
so I'll keep paying
make it right

Samuel Proof currently lives in LA. He has been previously published in the philadelhpa inquirer, bay area review, poetry.com, and more. He currently works at buddyhead.com.