Vacant Rocking Chairs

it's far she said, as if i had forgotten. as if i could ever forget. the empty chairs. the echoing glasses. the silly way the costumes tend to fit. the ugly seams in the masks.

all grenades and lollipops.

it's getting closer she hinted. as if i couldn't see. how far we'd gone. the wrinkled map. the soiled route. all cellular confessions and paradox.

her angle. her unspoiled contrition. soft matchsticks trying on the fire.

she blames time.

for being the perfect thief. for being the ideal surrender.