I Hold My Breath
By Claire Roberts


iss me you kiss meaaapower force desireaaaDo you really feel it, mean it?
It's been too long so longaaaYou
I hold my breath
Just can't breatheaaaYou.
Kissing me
so many emotions
Hold my breath all evening, waiting--waiting for you to call
every time I pick up the phone,
holding my breath as I say hello
holding my breath as I talk
holding my breath when you say goodbye
Kissing my neck
my face
my mouth
hold my breath
breathe through my nose
air on air on lips on tongues on faces
Hold my breath on the airplane
When I see youaaaagainaaafor the first time
Sometimesaaaexcitementffanticipation
uncertaintyffanxietyffwonderffhopefffear exposure
I hold my breath until I know
know where I stand
Hold my breath until I feel--again--stronger
without you
with you all around
Then youaaaall over again
kissing me
making me laugh
Anxiety
My whole lifeaaahereaaaright now
Wonderaaayou want to be with me
I can't breathe
It will endaaaand I will be leftaaaagain
holding my breath
Until
When--then--you call
You're thereaaatalkingffkissing me
Suddenly I breatheaaaonce
Then--again--holding my breath
Do I trust you?aaaDo you want me?
Kissing my eyes
kissing my mouth
kissing my mouth
And me, can't breatheaaabut don't stop
Apprehensive
I don't know what I want
Want to be lovedaaato be sureaaato know
To breatheaaafreelyaaaall the time
At workaaain the caraaaat the store
kissing youaaain your armsaaaon the phone
Me--holding my breath
What I want:aaaNo more
Just to breathe