Your lifeline: the intake of air, so fragile.
A hand, a toe. Tip of the atmosphere.
First step, first breath, the first mile.

Life. Chases, leads. Coy - it beguiles.
No break, not till the final breath.
Your lifeline: the intake of air, so fragile.

Breathe in, out. Steady hand while
You wade, mouth deep in chaos. So clear in the
First step, skip, leap, the first mile.

Constantly repeats as you compile
Lines of time. Breath: chapter, book, a year.
Your lifeline: the intake of air, so fragile.

It stays stable, worthwhile.
Reliable friend so sweet without fear.
But, slow it grows. The end of the mile.

Shudder, scrape, you taste bile.
Swift or slow, the fear
Clings with the intake of air. So fragile.
Unknowing. Run. The blank end of a mile.