Today, I spoke to no one.
The fire was the only one making conversation,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3A8DmsSsv
but it stuttered—forgetful, flickering,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQyr4I6Zk6
unsure if it was still supposed to burn.
I rearranged the bottles behind the bar.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Afh7cVmzx
Not to clean. Not to organize.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QSU0anL1x
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.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybZwCcEF0i
Empty.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrWRsxA4rG
But the scent inside was
...what was it?
I cannot recall now.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAY0H2l9rq
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.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOgYxJ1JMW
Maybe too many stories have nested in my mind.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoKJ05grIL
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.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVYvhSyOyq
Maybe it remembers for me.
