But all of this must be endured, for even

the poorest of persons...

Whoever that man is, he seems the equal

of a god to me, as sitting beside you

he enjoys the chance to listen and lean close

to your sweet speaking

and laughter — so lovely my heart beats its wings

inside my chest — though I snatch just a moment’s

glance, it’s enough to rob me of every last

word left within me,

and as my tongue breaks, a frostfragile fire

speeds under my skin, while vision collapses,

misting my eyes; and all I can hear now is

crashing in torrents

as sweat overcomes me, shivering pulses

electric through me, and paler than grass, I

find myself dead, or at least, that I’m one step

closer to dying.

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