you used to tell me
how it built within you slowly
and came upon you quickly
and I would nod yes,
yes, yes.
and you'd tell me again
the same story
the next day and I
would understand -- yes,
I knew the feeling.
you told me a year later
and I took the tale
into my heart, my dream, and
yes, that is
how it goes
I said, once
again.
and even as you spoke,
and I spoke,
the edge of your lung turned silver,
and the air you breathed out
imperceptibly fragile
as I kissed it; yes,
I said, yes; we
will keep warm.
you told me the shaking began
in the trees
and only the birds
could feel it. Birds,
I'd repeated, nearly
sleeping.
you let me see your nails
where the lavendar began,
and I took your hands
and yes, I said,
it would be fearsome,
what a tragedy is nature.
you said I was unprotected,
but I walked without thinking.
again and again
you gave me warm clothes,
you begged me
to remember. yes, I said, I
shall, and did not.
til at last I was white
and silent,
torn by wind-blows, frozen
in affirmations.
and you cleared a space on the windowpane
and yes, you said, yes,
there he goes.

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