Into the Acid
by A. A. Parr
for H. V.

you are sad and
you don’t know why
except that
when you look into
the acid-specked
mirror of age
that came before you
something about this
aching
makes you
pretty,
brings you
the solace
you didn’t know
to seek

you are sad and
watch the corners of
your mouth, watch
the corners of the room
for ghosts and other
trinkets, for the love
escaping
your clutching
grasp

you are sad and
nothing I say will
alter that because
sadness suits you,
sadness is a dress you wear;
sadness reminds you
there is something worth
longing for, worth
seeking out
...

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