A magician talks about the record for holding one’s breath As his assistant lowers herself into a tank of water. He calls it 22 minutes, But I swear to you it’s longer, I swear to you it’s years. This is how I remember it: When I would fall asleep with my glasses on, He slid them off and cleaned them, And then placed them on my nightstand Every single time. Once, I took a sip of wine And I shrugged And set my glass down on the counter And he poured it down the sink, And then the entire bottle. He said, “Life is too short for bad wine.” He said, “You deserve better.” And I have not cooked chicken in four months. The meat thermometer ended up in one of his boxes And I have never been able to tell Just by looking when something is finished. And this is not a metaphor. I am really afraid of food poisoning And I know Given an oven And enough time I would cook the chicken until it was charred and crumbling. And this is not a metaphor This is not abut the way I didn’t even hear the timer go off Until the entire kitchen was on fire. “He seemed like such a nice guy,” Everyone says, As I tell them my new address, As if you can tell from outside an oven if the meat inside is poison. The assistant rises from the water Frantic and worn out and gasping And the audience cheers her escape As she wonders if she could’ve held on just a little bit longer. On our first date He ran his fingertips across my skin Like he was reading my palm. And this is the hardest part: That boy is not made of fists. That boy learned how to braid my hair, And these things do not untruth themselves When the first door slams, And I did not stop loving him All the months I was holding my breath, And this is the hardest part: The way a fish is still a fish even after she’s been gutted, Even after her lips split clean in half from the hook, And the hook, And the hook, And do you think the fish blames herself, And her own stupid, open mouth? Do you think the fisherman apologised? Said all he wanted was to hold her, Said, “I have touched that hook for years And it never once pierced me. Darling, how could I have known?” And do you think the fish forgave him? Said, “I’m sorry too. I promise I’ll try harder to breath outside the water.”

I listen to this almost everyday to remember that this kind of breakup happens and it's okay for me to feel these things.

i just want to have a conversation with her jesus christ she's amazing

Am i the only one who finds her voice soothing?

She's done it again, I'm in love with her and her poetry (:

this poem is so important to me

Her voice is so powerful yet soothing. I love how much emotion lies behind these words

The more I listen to this the more I feel it resonating. She is a worker of words. Mad respect!!!

i watch this everyday

One of my very few favorites because it is me

I love this poem so much, it gives me chills every time I listen to it

Very deep and powerful. People are complicated period.

She killed it

tHIS IS MY ANSOLUTE FREAKING FAVORITE

So much talent.

Yes. This is the hardest part.

my sister and i have memorized this ☺

I am not particularly emotional but this brought tears to my eyes because I related to EVERY. WORD.

Gosh damn, Brenna Twohy! 💜

Omg her words 💔❤️❤️

Hot damn this is powerful

I love this so much. I'm crying 😭

I think about this all the time.

DAMN

Oh my God this poem reminds me so much of my husband and I.

I love this

she's perfect

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

I really love her omg

Damn, Brenna. You know I don't usually curse but damn, girl. 🔥

No mercy, indeed.

can someone explain to me what this poem says.

hi. i love this, but im not really sure what this is about. i mean, it doesn't sound like a toxic relationship. im sorry. im confused. can anyone please expound? :)

Just another feminist who contradicts herself and is basically saying that women are weak and actually comparing you guys fish, you feminist must be really proud of her!

Very deep and powerful. People are complicated period.