intrinsic
lights, dimly flashing
all is well
yet, all is chaos
crevasses in skin
shine through
each scar for each pain
each smile for each hurt
a photograph keeps the dead alive
and brings back the pain of time
the joy of a beating heart
long since undone
and the sadness of never knowing
the way a heart can beat without its companion
is almost as terrifying
as knowing all too well
when that last rhythm has ceased
and those eyes will never shine
as permanent
as the picture that holds them true
and real
almost alive
but gone enough for acceptance to commence
and remembrance to hold steady
this is where memories are truly born
or where they may be butchered
or perhaps imprisoned in a glass case
never to be nurtured
always preserved
always cherished
never set free