was like walking slowly
to a vast, gorgeous lake
carrying only a rusted spoon
to empty the waters

or digging straight into the core
of this battered planet
with that same unavailing utensil
and my own clumsy hands

I searched for more efficient demolition
but it turns out the keystone
was just you, not reciprocity
(though that was lovely for a while)

yet I kept hacking — day by day
at abandoned forests — tree by tree
with the dull edge of my witless tool
as per your request