Like the sudden snarl
from a phlegm hacking
old Chinese man,
the delta between death and desire
sours the air with smoke
and tree gristle
Something will happen,
it always does,
and things will be better
I know
Listen, they are speaking to us from a distance
You have been away for so long
leaving behind only dreams of conquerors
and vases full of flowering hope
I shudder, recollecting the day
when our words were valuable,
and our fears unknown
And the trees bristle, a heavy sigh
of knowing
It was that first cruel meeting,
just a moment, there
by the road,
when you told me that I must
always be alone
Yes, knowing
And like a tired old flashlight,
the light is suddenly gone,
and we must stay awake
all through the night
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