"red breath"

Opening the cupboard,
something warm stepped out,
a small red breath
moving before being addressed.

It drifted across the tiles,
a slow as a thought
unwelcome in the room.

The floor shifted under it,
a faint shimmer
occupying space 
recalling other
iterations of self.

Air bent sideways
to make room
for the red breath’s passage.

It settled on a wrist,
     light,
          bright,
               steady,
      pushing for the house
   to adjust.

Nothing visibly changed.
Only the red breath remained,
     extending certainty,
          regretful of places
               it hadn't dared to land.

.