liminal

in times of peace that expire too soon
borrowed and volatile respite i'm granted
with anticipation and dread in equal measure
to beginning's end and end's beginning

powerless before such glacial advance
each new day overwhelmed and enmeshed
the rhythm of ambivalence never resolved
lest no one does it is i who must listen

under the force of misplaced tenacity
alternate realities disintegrate to dust
while i stay yet grasping for straws
and when i cry you wonder what reason

i mourn all the moments that you forfeit
wasted away in hindsight forlorn
i dream of the chances lost to standstill
overdue closure so adamantly refused

in this otherworldly calm we persist today
the never again and the almost forever
between the no longer and the not yet
i can but hold watch as you slumber

(2023)

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