sometimes he wants to stop, he cannot stop. an avalanche, pebbles that become insurmountable. she puts on bubblegum lipstick, looks in the mirror, cannot forget the rasp of his laughter. he pulls on his teeth, we trace the gumline. and here it was, and here it was, and here it was. all blush, caked, two shades lighter than dirt. to forgive, we’ve forgotten everything. a glass of water by the windowsill, evaporated by the sun, leaving nothing.