I reached into colourless pools and jumped back – afraid.
My reflection had birds in her eyes and her lips, her lips
shaped themselves around rooftop dreams, a crown–less Queen
I waited impatiently for you by the dull, humourless waters
slowly getting drenched in the rain, tracing shapeless clouds
singing songs which make my chest hurt.

Though there was no light I knew the day was slowly dying.
Yet you still had not arrived – I gave up – was about to leave
when a non-descript movement on the periphery made me turn.
My reflection rose up and out of the achromatic water
the birds in her eyes flew out, attacking me, screeching
words we had whispered in a time when a day was being born.

The black birds screamed white lies which I used to chant.
I realized I couldn’t remember your name – afraid
I realized you were never coming back -
I realized it was because it was I who had sent you away.
v My feet tried to carry me away, away, away from the pools
but they were numb and I stumbled into one, struggled out.
The water in them burning through my skin like your fingers did.
I collapsed, watched my reflection slowly disintegrate – all
the while dazedly bleeding colour which soaked her dress
and mine, running over our limbs like lazy little rivers.
She made no attempt to stop the bleeding – stupid girl.
I made no attempt to stop the bleeding – stupid, stupid girl.

The birds had settled on a distant rooftop and watched quietly
as we faded away.