By Adi McNally
inert gases such as
helium
can replace oxygen and
prevent the body’s natural
panic response.
you still panicked.
“it’s so warm.”
“it’s so warm.”
voice weak desperate
to die yet afraid of
the warmth.
the balloon filled up, lifted
plastic off your head
voice out of your mouth
head from your body.
nous essayions pour vous.
nous travaillions pour vous.
we wanted to spray paint
the walls
then fill our lungs with
desperation
en lieu de l’air.
Author:
Adi McNally (they/them, he/him), originally from Santa Cruz, California, is currently attending Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. There, he will soon get his bachelor’s degree with a major in English writing with too many minors to list in a short bio. Their poetry has been published in Script and The Fruit Tree and is also available on Instagram @peas.and.poetry.
This piece is a part of DISTANCED 2.0.
ang(st) 