A POEM by PENNY SARMADA

You became nothing

I talk to myself the same way

I used to talk to you

it makes no difference to me

now

if you can hear me or not

it makes no difference to me now

not like it used to

because the words now exist

as words

let loose into the world

expelled on a warm breath

and not held deep inside

as thoughts

the meaning stays the same

as ever

though your ears are no more

your mind is no more

your body is no more

you became less

and less

and less

you swallowed and shot

until you were nothing

you did it to yourself

and now you are nothing

nothing to me

nothing even to yourself

anymore

there I said it

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Penny Sarmada is from Ontario. Recent stuff in Versification, Sledgehammer, Selcouth Station, Pink Plastic House.