blanket statements
or rather blanket truths
swallow conversations whole
while old hands search pockets
for better things

in the outside world
the distance, the surroundings
the population of one
only you
left with cold memories
ready to dissolve away

it was then but perhaps it's now
whether regret chooses to be immediate
or have a delayed effect
an unpredictable thrill
when the shouting and the silence go hand in hand

when she sang your name
and read your body with her touch
when you both spoke of forever like it was a prayer
a message unaware of its expiration

it's the choosing to start anew
to regain vision after wandering with closed eyes
to admit there was hurt
and there could still be hurt left

to understand the same fire
which could light up a thousand nights
could also quietly burn
and leave ashes everywhere
too hot to ever touch