there once was

do you remember when we were strained
& the moon, of its glow, was drained?

star-light
do you remember when we were dull;
when universe was a grey sky?

star-bright
do you remember the tornadoes & violent seas–
they were all in our heavy chests

the galaxy was a blanket of despair

star-lit
do you remember when the cries started swallowing
every laughter even before they could be breathed?

we were butterflies or feathers or petals
we were guileless
we were beautiful

we lost our wings

my dear, the world was a sacrifice


but do you remember

do you remember