In case of emergency  
  
My father said “It's up to you”  
(to say goodbye) still, you lie&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;over there  
in a coral carpeted case  
in liminal self embrace  
in final, silent magnolia.  
  
Specimen of Lacewing  
an Insect pinned ‘in case -  
of emergency: break  
glass’ box.  
My steps interlocked  
with ear shaped pot holes;  
negatives of your footprints  
between&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;us&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;in&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;snow,  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  
between you and me. When we last met,  
Before&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;you&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;had&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;to&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;go,  
i knew i had squeezed your hand too hard,  
  
hand of knotted cruelty  
hand of delicate marzipan fruits  
hand of accelerant laced slaps  
hand who dealt me, raised and deadly  
  
swellings; tender welts  
standing proud, yet sadly  
never yielding the tough hide  
you had envisioned on my behalf.

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