you revoked the promise
uttered in throe of passionate
ignorance and intense sham adoration
you solemnly broke the oath sworn on the altar of
mistaken, forsaken love

honest liars and lying saints make
unpleasant summer companions
twirl and spin a delicate tango
into a solo death march to the
kilns of broken-glass hearts

the sacred parchment scatters in flurries
around my naked feet worn calloused;
when you drove your profane nails
into my beating heart were you surprised when
no blood spurted forth

i choked, i gasped, i clutched the wound
i made a pretty picture of profound agony
while i crafted occult plots and
forged vengeful images of your
swiftly wilting assets

we played the fragile instrument
with clumsy workman's hands
until it crumbled in our wretched glee
every dust mote merits raised eyebrows, askance glances,
hot sharp acid pours forth disguised as human language

they scribble in the margins petty thoughts of psychic anger
borne on our behalf, those who take up unloaded weapons in hostile defense
as they tally the ticks of our falling-down life
make invisible computations in frothing wet-daydreams
add one dollar more for each minute of dispassionate battle

we end now in clenched jaws, narrowed eyes, feral distrust
edging around tenuous glass shards that may cut or shatter
in wicked ambiguity. Now i and you finally move as far apart as
when we lived together in that forgery life we called bliss
yet still a promise binds us, one drawn in blood, paid in blood for life

did you think I would cry i thought I would not
but rooms only echo
when empty

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