An embrace would meld us
Thaw us and bind us
Rough edges would melt and seam together
Forever, we would be unable
To be apart
Forever, we would be unable
To find sole solace
So our frail hearts
Love with caution
So we, who shake
Love in fear
I bottle up scents
The first night after
The first fight and tears
First “I love you”s and “I hate you”s
The first fissures and poorly-made welds
I pickle parts
Of that living, breathing thing between us
Always on life-support
Knowing
Time runs out
RED GLADIOLA 