My love for you will wither

In a corridor of flames

Sweat-doused hands I

poured my heart, into red lilies

.

The fire smelled like you,

of all the memories we made

But i could not stop the burning

Nor could i have tried

There was a map, and we followed it, darling

Into all of its worst little nooks and

look at us! look at us now!–at where we’ve ended up.

.

Hush.

Do not panic, my love.

There is no need to scream.

This is nothing but the end

of the trail and of the lines we built

together.

Why are you surprised?

.

I love you.

I love you–but what does that mean anymore

in a place like this?

.

Hush, my love.

Hush.

It will be over soon.

Come,

let us watch the ground crumble,

together–

As I lay my head atop your shoulder,

You close my eyes. And I let you.

.

Hold me.

.

The flames rise higher, tilted necks

This is the place we made for ourselves, darling–

I hope that you are happy here.

inhaling fumes, desire, of

sweltering heat.

Our lungs go black. Forget.

Forget–and the way out disappears.

.

at least,

we are not–

alone.