Today, I spoke to no one.
The fire was the only one making conversation,44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9zY4Kg0vU
but it stuttered—forgetful, flickering,44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXyhqQRo0X
unsure if it was still supposed to burn.
I rearranged the bottles behind the bar.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7doPPRnKV
Not to clean. Not to organize.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyHfZERqfI
Just to see if they would sound different when touched.
One of them did.
It rang like a bell in water.
I picked it up, opened it.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BTjQ03tGD
Empty.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwha978CeL
But the scent inside was
...what was it?
I cannot recall now.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQn3xxT6mI
And I’m afraid if I try, something else will fall out of my head instead.
There are cracks forming in the shape of thoughts I used to have.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUrQDa2kU4
Maybe too many stories have nested in my mind.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1Y7gbnhtz
Maybe I should throw some out.
But which ones?
If I forget one guest, does that count as a Second Death?
I’ll sleep beside the hearth tonight.44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEVqCbiSdB
Maybe it remembers for me.
