Today, I spoke to no one.
The fire was the only one making conversation,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38zvBoFfRS
but it stuttered—forgetful, flickering,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R1YRocQvl
unsure if it was still supposed to burn.
I rearranged the bottles behind the bar.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpkFuX63Ui
Not to clean. Not to organize.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2xOQipfOn
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LRVUqOr5P
Empty.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9guvYbhTjM
But the scent inside was
...what was it?
I cannot recall now.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRjH6mxsIX
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiBuZMzcLp
Maybe too many stories have nested in my mind.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zfc0N4Yla
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWyDjk6amt
Maybe it remembers for me.
