it's bleak
like pulverized skin
or... starlight

frozen feet
a million miles to go
in an unknown direction
but moving, always moving

and always away
never towards

glowing embers
creates
small holes
in the dark

but we're still bleak
still needy

and never towards

a writhing exhale
of smoke
of the excess
of what holds
binds
and bites

consumes
… always

makes smiles worth trying for

/