All I Want Is Not To Die

("let's Stand Under A Tree," She Said. "why?" "because It's Nicer." "maybe You Should Sit On A Chair, And I'll Stand Above You, Like They Always Do With Husbands And Wives." "that's Stupid." "why's It Stupid?" "because We're Not Married." "should We Hold Hands?" "we Can't." "but Why?" "because, People Will Know." "know What?" "about Us." "so What If They Know?" "it's Better When It's A Secret." "why?" "so No One Can Take It From Us.")

I Forced Myself To Picture The Last Moments. The Penultimate Breath. A Final Sigh. And Yet. It Was Always Followed By Another.

Because You Can Get Free Of Everything Except The Space Where Things Have Been

Empty Teacups Gathered Around Her And Dictionary Pages Fell At Her Feet.

There Was No One To Call Me To Bed, No One To Demand That The Rhythms Of My Life Operate In A Duet.