genie

   /withdraw/

only that I could have opened my eyes and

not pretend that I was warmed by their fire. never to

echo the word ‘safe’ in that modern bastille.

    they said choose cultist or outlier. 

    doesn’t lust love all love’s loss to be admired?

   /detach/

to starve their ‘perfect seed’ and

withdraw the blood I bled to bloat the satire. to

occupy myself less with the concern of changing

     a sobbing devil intent on lethal desire.

     when does what’s coming come to the wolf crier?

   /contrast/

to find forgiveness for the

hell that was my yesterday. to retire from 

reaching to prevent futures I fear. maybe the most I’ll do is

   extend love to tomorrow’s survivors,

   empathise with the mist shared by ambivalence and crossfire.

© Mollie Mardel