Today, I spoke to no one.
The fire was the only one making conversation,50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbMeDZalfY
but it stuttered—forgetful, flickering,50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrQsduuKhZ
unsure if it was still supposed to burn.
I rearranged the bottles behind the bar.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KK97KIPUS
Not to clean. Not to organize.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqYvDs1cqu
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.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N2V7WPsdo
Empty.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp0xgtZkN2
But the scent inside was
...what was it?
I cannot recall now.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tXeqZ1OnE
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.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBHcoXzqhx
Maybe too many stories have nested in my mind.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaMLnXvTzU
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.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i30uwOrNd
Maybe it remembers for me.
