After the Pinch

Between the ads and the papers
Is a shaking voice to be heard
Past the exit doors of this theater
Is it so selfish to want out?

Staying in your warm arms
Until we part

Between the pinch and a nightmare
A man standing by my bedside
I crumbled off into ashes
After the pinch, I was crying

I dropped something down in the drain
Couldn't help but wonder what it was
Two dust-bunnies on my lamp shade
Half burnt-out sputtering ceiling light

Slow haunting, faintly so
Until nothing is there
Staying in your warm arms