It sits, waiting for me in the same place that I left it.

It’s the same, dark space that follows the death of my care.

The shame of a thousand tears sits abounding on a throne of embarrassment that I have crowned for so long.

It’s flooded with the ghosts of those I reigned in affection, and drowned in empathy.

When their light burned out,
All I saw was empty space.

It crept slow, like a sunset I wish wouldn’t have faded.

It still sits under my tongue, waiting to selfishly abound itself in the only thing that makes me glow.

Light radiates all around me,
But I continue to trace shadows in the dark.

It reminds me of words wasted on hearts  of malice—vengeful and cruel.

I’m falling into dust that feels anything but cosmic, and reigning a kingdom of lies dressed in anything but its best.

And for the first time in my life,
I am my own silver lining.