Bird begets flame

she dances on stage
drunk and listless

face like
a diorama

is there life in there
has she fled

her friend I kissed
took to bed

she watched
silent

invited me to a CD release
party

banjo playing and she sings
like a twenties refugee

plucking
strings
at the foot of my bed

laying next to her
still smelling her friend

out through the garage door
I didn't follow

went inside
silent

took a shower

she called
mostly remained silent

only in music does she seem
present but

not when dancing
when singing

she taps a beat
she starts a song

otherwise
she is all bone

her friend comes
and collects from me

while she just
brings lyrics and guitars

talks to me about
old songs

kisses my face tenderly

I want to love her
she just

bends her head
opens her mouth

gets lost
in old songs

gone gone
gone

another bird
in the fire