prompt: write a poem that takes the form of a dialogue.

what follows is isolated from
e—‘s memories shortly before aya’s mind sweep.

…

is baya asleep
there’s something to say

she sleeps, she wakes,
it does not matter

my beloved
i cannot give you my life

did i swallow your soul…
and will you stop touching me?

my love never fills you
you want my mystery, my obsession

you hold me like a stone holds water
wasn’t i beautiful just then?

let me always love you
we are more than our bodies

but i can’t look at you every day
and you don’t long for me

then let’s stop looking at each other
through the lens of what we were

i have no other view
than this stark vantage of heart

but you don’t see me
you watch some fantasy, memoir

say no more.
i won’t be without you.
there’s no one else for you in this space or time.

say no more.
let’s be strangers, comrades.
tomorrow is baya’s. not yours. not mine.