HER

everyone looking away
from this curtain of black
each strand outlined
with the bright lights and
the forms of retreating backs

inside was dark too
not from the weight of the past
but from the lack of
of laughter and happiness
all dampened because
of those retreating backs

HIM

afraid to illuminate that darkness
from which nothing could escape

afraid to look too closely
past that curtain
hiding such magnificent beauty
and
a voice strong enough
to drive everyone away
or shake them from their core
till they no longer remembered who they were
while their warmth was still trapped

but dare a glance
and see a girl
who mistakes a retreating back
as exile

little does she realize
it is fevered a
                          w
                              e