17, Still Can't Swim

five

your voice was a soft heaven euphony that rose to crescendo in nirvana. and my ears now bereft of your music hear plain waveless sound, my tear ducts drip crimson rivers with the aching absence of your song.

at night, desperation fuels my fingers as i call your phone number to hear your gentle cadence once again:

“hi! it’s beau. the world needs me right now—hold on, lilah, i’m trying to get a decent voicemail!—anyway, that's my world. please leave a message if you need anything!”

and there were faint giggles before the beep.

even the somber nocturne of your breath, the cold holiness of your tender body against my skin. i can hear them all, still feel them beneath my bones.

there will be no haunting silence,
for i will let you play the strings of my heart to sing our ghostly song and the universe will pause to listen.

๓.
delilah