tell me that you can't sleep
press your forehead against the window
tiny rivers of condensation
cool breath painting pictures in the glass
lie there pitifully in your underwear
pale tangle of white cotton and trembling lower lip

outside there is another life
past your haunting eyes and self destructive hold is opportunity
happiness even
you raise your chin proudly
obnoxious
i could no more walk out that door than you could let me go

sigh
swallow me in your sea of limbs
hopeful face and slender arms outstretched
you are the eternal flame that flickers over gravestones
impossible
your sadness burns on in an endless light

and even though i stay
i know that your flame ignites the air you exist in
and casts everyone else into darkness