I would write more, but
I would write more, but
I search for the one, true first sentence
and scratch through it in my head
before typing a word
When I begin,
I tweak as I go.
Bit by bit
Word by word
Until I’ve killed what I want to say.
I consider what I’ve done
You moan,
Coalescing in my screen
Peering between dead words
A ghost among tombstones
Full of rage
Elbowing letters
Grasping
Fingernails scratch against glass
Fists pound
Our mouths open and scream
I switch off the screen
It flickers to black
Your hand settles on my shoulder
I lay mine on yours
And tell you I’m sorry
That I loved you
Your fingers collapse in a cloud of dust
Your ring clatters on the hardwood floor
Accelerates as it twirls to a stop
I push back my chair
Skid down the basement stairs
Whisk the blankets off the axe
Drop it in the wash basin
And scrub it clean
again