Breathalyzer

You’re holding your breath again, Daddy.

I don’t even notice
I’m doing it

But she does.

Every.
Time.

Does my body think
a held breath
will stop the swirling?

Turn back time?

Bring eventual
unconsciousness?

Spoiler –

It does none of those.

Eventually,
I need to exhale.

Which brings some relief
But also more pain.

And that’s another story altogether.