the house of cards crumpled and flew
nearly silent

sweeping sound and then nothing at all.

it was alright
and so she did not curse the stars

it was alright
and so she did not rage

it was alright
like vultures gath'ring round the roadkill
on the highway.

alright
like a salmon suffocating.

it is not
that love is not love
she thought

and it is not
that what is
is not

it only cannot
be

the way a heaven cannot be,

the way a sweetness cannot stay,

the way one cannot wrap oneself within a perfect day,

it only cannot be.