if you must go

where have you been?
the sound of your
whispered submission
carries on

through metallic echoes,
an abrasive caress
on fragile walls

tongues of flame
engulf
even promises
well made

and stones
engraved
to withstand

the erosion
of consecutive
life sentences

exposed
to sunlight and rain
where are you?

I search dim
chambers
unprotected as I am
by any armor of faith

waiting for denizens
of nightmare scapes
to rear their unspeakable heads

and converse with me,
casually,
as if I were one of them

tonight I didn't find you
again,
tomorrow I'll drink
the same poison

with barely diminished
expectations
and lock myself in.