Death Rattle

The air is so dry it chaps our bones,
As we lay festering on this dune.
Straddling death’s threshold.
We are beyond perspiration, you and I.

A shame really,
Because I would bequeath you
Every drop of my sweat
If it would keep your heart beating
Next to my faltering flesh.

And with this thought,
Drifting out of my head
And into the sweltering sky,
You turn to me, sweet as pain
And tell me "we’re through".

I pause blankly for a while.
A little stunned.
A little startled at the timing.
A little baffled by the inappropriateness
Of a breakup at this awkward moment.

But I suppose you always did like best,
To stab me while I already bled.
So I’ll just have to spite you,
And live.