irrelevance

the hardest lesson of all:
my smallness drives me to the edge.

but this is the key you say [so gently].
your smile is indulgent and infuriating

I chuck the key
and stomp off.
easy for you to say

but I notice the shrug of your shoulders
and yearn.
I know, I know
there is my own mossy gravestone

so death and life. which comes first?
there is only one and the other.
[something I cannot tidy away]
so say yes and be brave.

your hand is firm on my shoulder
look at the grave you say,
pressing the warm key into the palm of my hand
look at the grave.

something bangs upstairs.
I go to check.
the stairs are dark and cold;
like a tomb.

the tomb is empty