Today, I spoke to no one.
The fire was the only one making conversation,64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZGf5Kdu7o
but it stuttered—forgetful, flickering,64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgsP6AXJPa
unsure if it was still supposed to burn.
I rearranged the bottles behind the bar.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cKZPKTac1
Not to clean. Not to organize.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8LgSm9R9M
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LXpPZU6IQ
Empty.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh29YHiIUP
But the scent inside was
...what was it?
I cannot recall now.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPrpzEYqiO
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDewTvz9Hq
Maybe too many stories have nested in my mind.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAbN4L0Yx8
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB80PiZFye
Maybe it remembers for me.
