ARTificial: DON'T GIVE UP

There's no hate in my heart— Only jealous rage For what I feel was taken away.

Drip by drip, The candle we lit Burned clean and hopeful.

But I can't bring myself To re-ignite it. So I try to fight it, But these feelings of despair Reverberate through the air.

Exhausted, I sweat buckets at our workbench Painting canvas after canvas With safety yellow. Followed by advice In noxious red, Neglecting the phrase: DON'T GIVE UP.

It's what you said.

As I search for a lighter... It comes to me, I packed Bowie away— Now he lives in Hickory Or some new sacred space— Yet my mind sees clearly, Lightning painted on his face.

I run aimlessly in a rosengarten, As cold rain envelopes my chest. Searching for your hand. Listening for your breath.

It's too dark.

I can't find you.

Just then, I awake from a violent twitch. Terrified at 3am (and...) I see my hand, resting on a pillow Realizing it used to be Resting on polished silver.

I close my eyes. To return again, It's everlasting yellow— The only color in the spectrum That turns my heart to jello.

MATHESON 9-23-24