GLASS LUNG

I learned to breathe through the fracture There was light in the room but it felt too thin Like the air had edges like it cut going in I kept my mouth closed like a secret in wire Held one spark too long and called it desire Every word I swallowed turned crystal in my chest Every perfect warning settled where I kept the rest I was all clean outline and no safe escape A body made of pressure in a beautiful shape If I inhale too deep the whole thing shines If I hold it too long it becomes mine You can see right through me but don't call me clear There is blood in this brightness There is heat in this fear Glass lung glowing in the dark Glass lung breaking around the spark If I sing too high will the whole frame split If I let it in will I live through it Glass lung still learning how to burn without turning to it Glass lung Glass lung I wore calm like metal I wore grace like smoke I let every soft hand pretend I would not choke But my ribs know thunder and my throat knows flame I can dress it in white it still calls my name Every mercy came polished Every answer came bright Every promise looked holy under fracture-light So I kept the damage and I kept the sound And I built my own breath from the pieces I found If I inhale too deep the whole thing shines If I hold it too long it becomes mine You can see right through me but don't call me clear There is blood in this brightness There is heat in this fear Glass lung glowing in the dark Glass lung breaking around the spark If I sing too high will the whole frame split If I let it in will I live through it Glass lung still learning how to burn without turning to it Don’t save me with cleaner light Don’t name me more fragile than I am I was never made to survive untouched I was made to glow under pressure Let it crack Let it ring Let the clear thing learn to sing Let it hurt Let it show Let the broken air still glow Glass lung glowing in the dark Glass lung breaking around the spark If I sing too high let the whole frame split If I let it in I will live through it Glass lung I am learning how to burn without turning to it Glass lung Glass lung