Stale Epiphanies

the hours stumble. intoxicated with grief. 

we tread. our feet growing heavier. the water deepening. 

she waits to die.  her own body is a treason. 

a life barely lived ending in the same way. 

mercy a distant mile marker waiting on the other side of an impassable bridge. 

life trembles and sweats under the scrutiny of suffering. void of justification. 

there are no places we haven't already been. there are no lies we've yet to wager against broken skin. 

we follow the stairs up as high as they'll go. determined to confront the edge.