Measuring the Flame

the empty staircase wore her well. the small folds humming in her head. a sovereignty of silence. an invasion of words. rampant with all the textures and colors of alone.

she was content to let the weather change. to let it change her.

the slopes were steep. the distance was sharp. all the random blades that solve for want.

the bridge swayed. as gravity asserted itself. we chased the knots in our voices. little dolls searching for their faces.

how far we've gone we don't know.  there's no capacity limit on our willingness to be broken.

we weighed their deflated dresses. as we gnawed on their plastic bones. we assumed youth would finance our escape. instead, we just grew old.