#33

If only my voice could reach the far ends of eternity.

Maybe I could have called out.

The whole world just barged in,

unannounced, without malice—just being—

Of course, who would even dare not claim cruelty and injustice when

it is all—

me.

No one’s to blame,

not even this faultless world

we all deemed unworthy.

Maybe etched

one day

on a plaque,

without a name,

just a few unremarkable words:

Herein lies the man so coward,

even the devil laid beside him.

They both waited for eternity,

contemplating each other’s own fault.

Sought, found, and carelessly

abound by grief—

on each other a company

none else ever saw become.

While others praised, worshipped,

damned, and cast out the other’s name,

each took great lengths

and with utmost care, to see a sight

none else but them beheld.

It isn’t the world’s fault to misunderstand,

nor is it theirs.

They loved.

They grew tired.

And ever so deeply,

wanted things made impossible for them.

He is he who prayed—

prayed ever so hard,

and still left—

And that’s all there is to it.

Stones cannot forever hold onto time.

May he suffer less in the eternity meant for those who

only ever wanted a gentle flame.