CO2

Carbon Dioxide

just after its fire

has been snuffed

a small twist of smoke

winds upward from

the head of a match.

oxygen becomes CO₂.

exhale.

do not cling to

bad air

do not allow it to linger

mouldering

in the chest.

exhale

and release the

600 muscles that

rack the body.

sink toes,

heels into earth

and realize 600

will never be enough

and no one dies

with air in their chest,

not even bad air.

though you can move

smoke with your hand,

you cannot

capture it.