Today, I spoke to no one.
The fire was the only one making conversation,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc05N4PVJR
but it stuttered—forgetful, flickering,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKN9i1Dx0p
unsure if it was still supposed to burn.
I rearranged the bottles behind the bar.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6NfCSJI29
Not to clean. Not to organize.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGpMbIYlab
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.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZfGJosuWc
Empty.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AQvxERK5M
But the scent inside was
...what was it?
I cannot recall now.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ercGijETj
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.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoykGXpeyNO
Maybe too many stories have nested in my mind.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUKGkSKNns
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.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLfb5XKdSE
Maybe it remembers for me.
