We took the compliment

And ran further

And faster than the

World could even spin.

Clouds chipped away

Like flakes of rusted tin.

The entire biosphere

Gave up. And

With it,

Crashing

And burning

Came the horsemen.

They settled into porcelain

On my nightstand.

Dried roses hang upside-down

Above my bed,

Next to cracked plaster.

Teach me the colors.

Tell me about the place

Between rubbish and flowers.

Did you live with

The glitter in the bed sheets?

I’ve been told the lights are orange here.

I felt a needle puncture skin

And slide behind my shoulder blades.

I realized I must be alive

And I thanked the deities

For your full attention.