where you live

i feel you inside my lungs,
lingering,
waiting.

I whip your back,
watching you sink back into
my chest, my little lion.

sometimes i feel you
getting out of your cage,
caressing me like a lover,
kissing my cheeks like an old friend.

i cry,
i heave as i feel your claws
in my throat,
on my hands.

i cannot shake you no matter how
much i try,
i can only beat you back
into your abyss.

i make you promise you
will stay there, and
behave.

but i feel you inside my lungs,
lingering.

watching.

waiting.