Reflections

i wandered into this oblivion between how and why. and now i find i belong there. the skeleton of a flame  in stiffening darkness.

the words swell in my chest, but i am silent. the distance barks. snarls. bares teeth i never knew it had.

it's far. i always knew it was. still. i kept going. determined to be lost again. the memory told its lies and that's all i needed.

the truth simmers under my breath. foul with whispers never uttered.

there's no measure. no doorway. nor any place i've been.

it's all just windows. hungry eyes peering in. a long series of broken glass. and the wounds

it inflicts.