All that Remains

Of Suffocation and Mysteries

I drag my feet on the ground

My wings too tired to keep this up

I smile, and you can tell that it's shattered

But you don't ever ask

Others have, others will

Others don't know

That it's a waste to bother

And that leaving it be is what's best

Time time time is running out

So much to do, so much more to get through

And yet, I'm already exhausted

Why is that?

'Hold onto the last rays of shine'

They say

'Before the sun sets to soon'

But what would I hold onto if all I've ever seen is darkness?

So many people

All around me, staring

Hands raised to cover their eyes, ear, mouth

They don't want to know me, but they must

So many hands, but none of them are touching me

As I just stand there

So how come it feels

As if I am being strangled?

My throat is closing

The air is being cut off

Clenched tight in a way I can

Never, ever rid of

I can't breathe

I can't do it

And honestly?

I don't even know if I want to

They all know my fire is dimming;

If they can't see it, they can hear it

And if they can already see and hear

Then their hands are raised to cover their mouth, each tempted to scream

Scream; they feel they must

Out of terror, as they see my ashen body

What used to be a forest, it's own ecosystem

Watch as it runs out of fuel mysteriously

After all, they all know that a fire cannot burn without oxygen

But they don't seem to be lacking

So where did my reserve go?

Why can't I breathe?

Maybe we're all in outer space

I truly don't know

Maybe they all each have their own air tanks

All, that is, except me

I can't really see clearly

As my vision fades out

Knees weakening as my wings fall limp and lifeless

Fire losing power, I fall to the ground

I can't see anything

There is nothing here, there, or anywhere, for that matter

Is this death?