still, the dark stays curled at the edges of everything.

I'M NOT GIVING UP

unforgiving heat, thick as grief, breathing down my neck.

I'M NOT GIVING UP

inside my chest: fog, fists, the weight of never enough.

I'M NOT GIVING UP

cold thoughts creep in, louder, louder, LOUDER.

I'M NOT GIVING UP

it hurts where no one can see, no one can fix.

I'M NOT GIVING UP

dreams vanish faster than I can rewrite them.

I'M NOT GIVING UP

even the light feels far.