back then by Justin Hyde

i needed love

& someone to talk to.

having neither

i dropped down
into this alternate chamber
within myself

here

where light
& sound
trickle faintly
as into a well.

what's wrong?
ask the
various women
unlucky enough
to come into
my life.

i try to
explain

we dance around
the ineffable

their hearts
become
brittle

thread-worn

washing
down-river
like dust.