cut lungs to roll out this:
darkened carpet, shades of
used-up dreams, quiet
& trembling footsteps down
the hall. soon, i'd be little
more than crumbs strewn
under the couch, some
ash on the bench, dampened
echo of laughter; where, once,
some dull effort, in all
sincerity, tied senses to
all ornaments in the
living-room.

where has this life drained away to?
all i now find is discarded sentiment,
static tones,
a dull ache that never recedes.

down by the river, in the thickets
of blackberry that overrun quick
pace along the trail,
here, we find our sardonic last
parting. here, once cherished
was the hue of your cheek by
later light, hearts blending seamlessly
into the bark. eyes upon glowing
horizon.

for one second, i rest here, still:
watch the water. let run my
own poison in the wash. let
skin mesh with algae. bones
bend into rock. fingertips as
willows on the bank.

slow breath, as an escaping gust,
as much as it hurts to know.