The House of No

Here is the House of No.
Has your trip been long?
Please remain standing.

Examine our literature,
Our list of the one hundred most beautiful words.
Wear this mask. Keep silent.

We've seen your type before, a thousand times;
We know how your arms ache for her smooth skin.
Hold them up--
We will teach them tolerance, wrapped in heavy casts.

We're wise to the way she falls from your mind in sections...
Sweet, as if her ribs had called your fingers from a dream,
To lay tender stripes from their tips to her heart.
No more of that.

We give no sympathy, even in extremity,
For the memory of her breath, warm and close on your face,
Or the turning up of her shoulders when she kissed you the way she did.
Empty your bag.
Give us those.

In time, you will no longer feel riven in two with impossible desire.
One day, her name will cease to seem holy, or even noteworthy.
Until then,

Come to breakfast,
Accept the cup of dust we offer;
Trust our healing methods.
Stop moaning.
Eat your rind.
______

for Real Toads Open Link Monday and Shawna's Monday Melting.