this hollow

you are a stick
broken
beneath the heft
of feet incapable
of treading softly
a sleeping baby
awakened
by a mother's whimper
bellowed by the world
to come out in screams
delirious
you are a bird
fallen
by a sling shot
a crime story
in which the killer
remains unnamed
mysterious
like a tear
whose identity is lost
in a river
that swells
then floods
tangible ties to the past
a candle
whose flame
takes the blame
for a fire
that eradicates a forest
and leaves us gasping
in the wake
of complete devastation
lost
abandoned ghosts
of smiles worn
too many yesterdays ago
lost
amidst the vague conception
of all that is lost
holding onto nothing
but a broken compass
and a star
by which to sail
this hollow
this barren
and yet
in spite of everything
i know i need you
infinitely
more than you need me