A nostalgic old man,

whose whispers adhere

to the flames’ tongue,

tells his one story again.

You are charmed.

So the chains slip

into your veins,

your heart, your lungs.

The air thickens your breath,

until every song you hear

is the only song you hear,

then you can no longer dance.

And the fire burns down,

for nothing’s left to say.

(August 6, 2021)