Off a plane, 1 am

quick harsh fingers close around 

my throat

choking little air puffs

squeezing what is left of my breath

the air is inky black

that color that looks perfect

on wedding dresses

and in funeral marches

i inhale quickly

tasting dank earth and wet pavement

my chest heaves 

i stumble

water molecules and pollen

invade my body

again, summer in Chicago