i pour my stare into her eyes to make sure she knows the wells of my sorrow. she gazes back into mine as if to draw the pain from me & whispers, "i'm sorry." her words echo unending in the hollow within me. she won't stay. my throat caves in, & my voice escapes me. i'm mute with pleading. we crack like a smile when she slips in a "goodbye." my heart opens like a sinkhole & i'm plunging. i watch her wave as i fall still standing; her fingers slip into her pockets as she trails off. the town becomes a tar pit & i wade in...