dark birds wheel in a distance-framed sky
static-leaves crown the sheer drop
to your left your flashlight glows with batteries spilled out its back
your watch’s face is cracked
is still
is silent
​
to your right is a gaping maw with moss tongue
stalactite eyeteeth split you open
you wish it would spit you out
child
​your lungs are a vacuum
resistant to being anything else
for what reason do you cry?
the earth itself has forsaken me
the remains of the path are still under your feet.
for what reason would i not?
endure
so you can consume me?
absorb me into the iron bones and dust dust dust bellow?
a draft brushes your damp cheek
this is not a place one should die
i am as human as i ever was
i bleed
such small fragile things you are
are you in pain?
i cannot feel my legs
and i cannot cry for you
​one circling crow settles
in the palm of your upturned hand
i was dying anyway
if it is any comfort
someday your bones will house sparrows
and your flesh will feed forests
i’m scared
hold me?
fern-grass tickles your cheek
a sunbeam falls across your closed eyes like a benediction
gladly