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Language:
English
Series:
Part 1 of We Watch From the Sidelines (As You Slowly Fade)
Stats:
Published:
2019-02-22
Words:
342
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
4
Kudos:
48
Bookmarks:
4
Hits:
310

You Wake at Dawn

Summary:

You retrieve your clothes like it’s a ritual-
Removing each garment from the hangers
(You’re more gentle with your clothes than you ever were with me).

Work Text:

You wake at dawn,
Rising like the weight of the world is upon your shoulders.
(And maybe it is.)
The dark of night doesn’t hide you,
as your silent footsteps walk towards the closet.
You retrieve your clothes like it’s a ritual-
Removing each garment from the hangers
(You’re more gentle with your clothes than you ever were with me)
Carrying them with you,
Folded over your arm.
We follow you to the bathroom,
Harsh lights washing you out.
You look more like a revenant-
A ghoul,
A Ghost,
Than you do a human being.
(It just reflects how dead you truly are)
You place the garments on the counter,
Looking yourself dead in the eye,
Breathing in slow.
(I never understood how you could stand it, the wild staring back at you)
You wash quickly,
Like you’ll melt if under the water too long.
(The scent of honey mixed with bleach will always be part of you.)
Return to the rituals,
Silence clinging to you
(The way a child once did, begging you to stay)
You dress as if you’re going to war,
Purpose in every motion.
It’s almost mechanical,
the way you move.
(Maybe you’re an automaton, like from the books we used to read)
Tying your tie only takes seconds now,
(Pops would’ve been proud.)
And your jacket goes on over it all-
Hiding the secrets you can’t overhaul away.
(Hiding any traces of the past you failed to destroy.)
You put your gloves on,
Restrain the weapon that is your touch with a surgical precision.
(It’s funny now, how safe I used to feel when your hand was in mine)
You look in the mirror once again,
Gold locking with gold,
As you don your mask.
(I can see your eyes growing colder. How long will it be until there’s nothing left of you?)
Closing your eyes for a brief moment,
Steadying yourself.
Open them again,
Walk out.
The silence follows like a shadow.
(You’re not the man I loved anymore, but that’s okay. I’ll still follow you.)

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