The radiator hissed and leaked its steam

The radiator hissed and leaked its steam

until the floorboards swelled up like a bruise.

I reached back through a half-forgotten dream

for things I didn't think I’d have to lose.

I found the notebook buried in the dust,

its spiral wire twisted in a knot.

The cover was a map of mold and rust,

a record of the things I nearly thought.

A dozen names are written on the page,

the people I was sure would slip away.

A childish list of panic and of age

from back when I had nothing left to say.

The silverfish are quick and bright and small,

they scatter from the names of those I knew.

I’m standing here with nothing much at all

and wondering if they still remember too.