you were outside
me & said never
doubt pain saved
the world from
memories spinning
like rosettes

I replied: triumphs
multiply when
mouth-sounds tour
the stars to return
what was lost

we lifted a cold
one to silence

content it will
never hear the
end of us

the meaning of dreams
watches us sleep as we
chase the finality of
apartments silent but for
the creak of our skin
saying the darkness
can never be whole
violated as it is by
the seed of light
that runs through
our bodies

so lower the knife,
let no good crisis
go to waste

how far is too far
is it beyond the missing
or the decency to mourn

how long is too long
when buried by shells
fired at the crossroads
before which doubt
celebrates its existence

it is never too far
& never too long
when nothing is left
but we who remain