Monday, June 29, 2026

lifeline

for S.L.E.
1996-2025

look--how connected we are, we two
look--how  far  away the stars' gleam
who's to tell tomorrow what life-sized 
event can make us seem separate too

 rain protests like Rorschach shrapnel 
against the mouths of the buildings
 that swallow us, windows watching 
us spend outlawed, ongoing words 

my mind, just a machine of memory
all my notes veering between theory
or grocery lists... and in your mind
life a dimming rhythm of  wrongs

you dwell on answers, staying only 
for the songs: yes, yes, yes, and no
O, though it starts in a field of fear 
my heart was there for you to hold 
_________________
Somehow it's a year since S, At's ex, died by suicide.
(I tried to work with the different connotations of "lifeline" like umbilical cords, palm creases in fortune telling, lifespans, and maritime rescue.)
Pic: Seagulls along a Saronic coastline.

10 comments:

Nicole said...

A year? Oh wow. Sending lots of love on this very sad anniversary. xo

Gillian said...

Take care.

StephLove said...

Wow, a year already. It seems as if that just happened. Hugs to you and to At.

Nance said...

Oh, my. A year. Time, like so many things, is an eternal mystery.

The third stanza of this is so poignant and so true. And the final stanza's use of sound (assonance, alliteration) is truly special.

Jeanie said...

A year? It seems like yesterday. Biggest hugs. This is beautiful.

maya said...

Thank you, Nicole XO

maya said...

Thank you

maya said...

Inexorable... Thank you, Steph <3

maya said...

Thank you, Nance <3

maya said...

Thank you, Jeanie <3. (I guess that means you've been a kind friend for a whole year now!)

crossing

in that room I have never left this body drifts away from me I've  mislaid an empty  head crowds have taken its words lines  shudder unp...