BETTER THAN THEY WERE

an occupied space
a room, recently sage-bathed 
is filled. a temporary tenant

the glory in despair
you at first, tensed-up
like any foreigner would
perceived time askew

remembering things
better than they were
moments lost, spiral
these black mirror echos

we name it
the great pretending
reluctant, walking
in each others hearts

Artwork by Garbriele Chiari