A leaf in lightning, I shook.


In a single second my life passed.
It flew past and left me knowing nothing, fearing all.


I closed every conceivable door in my mind, pushed it all to the edges.


I could smell lavender, as I used to.
But did not let myself know.
That I was only smelling the memory, the inconsolable hole left in not just my chest, but my mind and in my eyes.


I could not allow myself the indulgence of memory, of seeing the faces.

Dead.

Hollowed.


Thornes sting but sometimes the rose is what can kill.

Beauty and grace
Fragile pedals of bloody red

The sweetness of memories can be enough

To drive a man to forget.