Hard to Breathe

I wake to colder than winter this August

The air conditioner’s blizzard upon us

Heatwave through the window

As it thunders through the yard

Another heavy day approaches

Sure to leave me breathing hard

Thicker than a bigger man’s promise

Heir to honest mistakes

Life nor death do not request

Permission for the breaths they take

A face

A reputation

A shameless destination

Left to reflect

Freedom is to be discarded

Love and hate debate;

Disheartened

Damned in tandem

Loneliness to pay their ransom

Keeping peace through pardon

Just so we can get some sleep