how we rolled up the carpet so we could dance, and the days were bright red, and every time we kissed there was another apple to slice into pieces. Look at the light through the windowpane. That means it's noon, that means we're inconsolable. Tell me how all this, and love too, will ruin us. These our bodies, possessed by light. Tell me we'll never get used to it.
Richard SikenYouโre falling now. Youโre swimming. This is not โโโโโโโโโโharmless. You are not โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโbreathing.
Richard SikenHere I am in a rabbit run, here I am in a valley of pine, waiting for you to find me. I could pretend Iโm speaking to everyoneโassume a middle distance and transcend myselfโbut Iโm taking to you and you know it.
Richard SikenI'm battling monsters, I'm pulling you out of the burning buildings/ and you say I'll give you anything but you never come through.
Richard SikenEventually something you love is going to be taken away. And then you will fall to the floor crying. And then, however much later, it is finally happening to you: youโre falling to the floor crying thinking, โI am falling to the floor crying,โ but thereโs an element of the ridiculous to it โ you knew it would happen and, even worse, while youโre on the floor crying you look at the place where the wall meets the floor and you realize you didnโt paint it very well.
Richard Siken