aridus

dusty breath catches, chokes
i cough, spit out
the last of your scent.
rub dry eyes, tears
have turned to grit,
scratched memories into scars.
hot winds blow across
an arid soul, whip cruel
curl and peel the thin layers of self esteem
they flake and slowly fall away.
my lips, cracked and scabbed black
split, taste like a copper penny
too bitter for another's mouth.
a heart, turned to ash.