Swaying Bridges

we never knew. never wanted to know. how deep the hole was.

the world carried on just the same. in spite of us. orphans in soiled smocks. fumbling with the leashes on our wolves. 

the hole was patient. letting us wonder. how far we could fall. 

we coaxed the math. selling rides on our time machines. liars with truth in our pockets. gambling on nothing in particular. 

we put our bandages on the conceits. and waited for the void to dare us. predators in crowded cages. chewing on the keys  

the hole laughed out loud. as we stood on its edge and speculated on how deep it went. strangers with familiar faces.

we closed our eyes and gravity gave us a kiss.