i unravel
not like a ribbon but like rope— 
wet, splitting at the seams

you turned, smirking like it was a game 
like breaking me was just physics
so clean, so unmarked

you the one always slipping off the hook 
"poor you"—the story you sold while i sank
bare feet on loose earth 
always moving, never mine

i learned to float, lip-bitten 
quiet through the avalanche 
your lies piling in my name

but my arms stayed strong 
cradling the small ones 
keeping their heads above the froth

i don’t scream anymore i don’t plead
just hold breathe push
the tide takes everything but not them 

not if i can keep swimming
i’ll shoulder your ruin i’ll haul us through
until they taste saltless air