Visits

I have been to a place twice. Once in bustling daylight and the other, later, in imagination. When sleep sings in slow breath and time smudges night, I go there again. The charred souls of dying lamps, brim over to meet the dark. Their wicks lie limp, swollen with oil and hope - pale glistening yellow, like stained teeth. The winds sweep their burnt slippery scents through the hollow pathways. A few flecks even reach where the stone gods rest amongst fragrant bribes.

Grown-ups

I'm fine,
how have you been?
The usual flurry, I said.
We then spoke in courtesies
and pauses.

I cut the call
realising,
that she has learnt
to mouth,
unconvincing lies,
in the fidelity of the night
and betrayal of sleep.