The shattering denouement, the splash of plastic. It can't be undone. Ecstatic misery. The delicious slowness of the marble cascading downward. The anticipation of the trap! I was sunk. I didn't even want to come up for air. We sat across from each other and battled silently, warriors fighting to the death, paper squares fluttering between us. There was no way for it to end nicely.

 

At your house everything felt against the rules. It was a towering pile of entropy, an architectural rainbow that broke like a heart at the slightest touch. I tried to help you win but sabotaged us both. My head was in a little cave. Why wouldn’t the net stay taut? The rhythm was addictive. It woke us up at night. We tried to breathe with it.

 

Everyone told me different rules. I knew there were rules but I didn't know what they were. I didn't need to win, I just didn't want to lose. One animal leads to another. Some animals are harder than others. Every animal made us happy with anticipation.

 

I know where you are even if I can't see you. I'm moving toward you in slow motion all the time.