FREED VERSE

a cage 
no longer protecting me.
those xylophones in my chest-
their rhythm beats a whip
against my gone-with-the-wind back.

only if I find the strength to breathe,
let air 
eke out the poison gas,
will my lungs be free to fill
and split my ribs 
from the inside. 

my wishbone is the only one that can't be starved to the surface.