He is smoke threaded through stone, A shape the light forgets to hold. Time folded when our eyes met: Years collapsing like wings at dusk. A forgotten music stirred beneath by ribs, a stillness lit from within, like it held its breath for ages. Not desire, but the gravity of being seen without question. Time…

There was a flicker once —not fire,just the suggestion of heat.I turned my face awaybefore it could name me. Called it a shadow.Called it passing weather.Built a life in sunlightwith someone who gives me everything,except the part of me I never offered. Still, some nights,the air shifts —and I slipinto the life that never was.…