something is different

something is different
toss a stone into the aquarium
the fish barely quiver
dreams don’t arrive
it’s cold to live as a reflection beneath the moon
lovingly we heal the sense of guilt

night fills the window with little blue leaves
butterflies play dead on the water . . .
to kiss drunkenly
to choke on despair
over-ripened apples pummel our heads

this moment – a melody
torn off like clothes
snatched by nervous fingers . . .
a wheel? a wing?
a coiled heap a pause for your faithful
shot into the abyss
as if it never existed

something is different