she lined the floor with squares of stone with cement in between
footsteps will echo and perhaps never cease to exist
although she may not want to admit
I think she fell and hurt her mind
on the perfectly imperfect stones she created for herself

did the echo ever bounce off the walls?
your head is damaged, darling
it’s all within the sphere of your mind
but do not fret
they come bearing bandages made of thorns and barbed wire
it may cut up your skin but what does that matter?
you’re already bleeding

please accept this gift of insanity
your thoughts are safe inside your broken shell
let them seep through the wounds
we’re just a friendly audience
let us applaud you for your sacrifice
oh my, I’m glad I brought you those stones
even happier that you supplied the cement