his presence fades
there is no trace of his smile beyond
his carelessness that burns
a touch relished sparingly
but his mind is as strong
it snaps
like mine
are they dogs or mice or children
they all speak my name

your memory taints
whatever fragile shards of sanity I salvage
your bluntness that throbs
in my heart like open wounds
but your vision is wrong
it blurs
like mine
are you dogs or mice or children
you all breathe my pain