Today, I spoke to no one.
The fire was the only one making conversation,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDEiyBIR7U
but it stuttered—forgetful, flickering,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8M8gpSvZS
unsure if it was still supposed to burn.
I rearranged the bottles behind the bar.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqLmPXcTXE
Not to clean. Not to organize.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtLYkLaXte
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.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNkpHWS0eZ
Empty.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3XVjNiZV5
But the scent inside was
...what was it?
I cannot recall now.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1xsozmjFx
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.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr65DMpJoxG
Maybe too many stories have nested in my mind.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4eU05sZAC
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.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWB5VoHcox
Maybe it remembers for me.
