It’s like the ringing in my ears.
It gets louder when you enter the room
with heals clicking and hands swinging
by your side, then shoved into pants pockets,
pulling out fluffs of lint
like the stuff that comes out of your mouth
in little catlike balls.

I called the doctor once
you coughed then finally
cleared your airway.
Choking should have clued you in.
You should have known then
how your phlegm, like dragon spit,
was brimstone and would eventually
burn you alive.