in rolls the tangible exhaled red
on a rapid
under covers
as she throws the lead
and stalls his hands

keep it up
pour fleeting words
down a hallucinated hallway

weighted embers
rest below her eyes
capturing the runoff
from her tilted stare

hidden between illegible lines
are pauses for escape
and retired smiles

intentions and regrets
dealt neatly in her hand
staggering accusations flood his rising steps
always echo and linger
into tomorrow