Invalids
Asystole
When we looked beneath us
The ground was no longer there
How long had it been?
(how long without it?
Had it ever been under us then?)

Our hands would meet then pull away
Couldn't keep the thoughts from coming back
Of us and everyone you meet
And what your last words will be
And you were sure it would be something you wouldn't mean

Hushed by the sound of your asystole
Then at peace

When we looked beside us (not now)
Bedside, the breathing machine
Not quite how wе thought it would be
(knotted around you
How hard it was to see)

Does it feel likе
We're watching ourselves on camera?
(recurring scenes)
Even if we plead with the screen
No matter how many times we
Offered ourselves something (a solution)
There was permanence in our resignation
No argument
No new direction
No revision
Changed our mistakes

We did it the same way
It turned out the same way
It always ends the same
And nothing ever changed

Hand on my shirt sleeve
There was something you couldn't say
There was some place you couldn't stay
Lowering your voice you said
You want this all to end
You wanted everyone to go away
(stall, you said, rainfall, you said, the only thing)
(what now, still, you said, be still, you said, rainfall)

Felt painted on the walls
A form unfilled just faintly traced
Only several days
Start to fade away
(your weights will lift away)
Suddenly
Only shade remained
Void of what
Gave your mark its shape
(your body lifts away)
Further down
As you drift away
Floating on
Further floating until
Nothing
(you're making a mistake)
Reaches anymore
Only rainfall
Rainfall