the needle
breaks the skin
the plunger
pulled back
to allow a spiral of red
to dissipate
into the solution
before being injected
back into the vein
to rush through
vascular chaos

how many
hits of you
still flush my system
in the quiet time
before the sun
fully rises
when the world
still sleeps
all i can see
is you
smiling softly
at me
as we
luxuriate
in simple proximity

it feels like
dying
like
falling apart
being unable
to use any of these
senseless senses
to absorb you
into these starving cells
that require more of you
than they can handle

to need
more of you
than you can
give

this need
that causes me
to shake
uncontrollably

sitting in the silence
as your voice
echos
in my veins

muscle memory
of holding you tight
cramping
from withdrawal