Are you ok?

"Are you ok?"

Floated the words

through ashen air.

And there,

they waited.

Spoken with

a furrowed brow,

or a sorrowful smile.

Or with tears glossing over pale yellow-green eyes.

Words that stirred the four lettered lies.

---

Run.

The lies ran.

This is your moment. As fast as you can.

Good.

Sure.

Fine.

Fair.

They ran like the fear of one caught in a snare -

---

But the gate remained closed.

And none were freed.

No fresh little lie, or chime of a creed.

For nothing was good,

sure, fine, or fair.

Belay your crime, lies; the gate is still there.

---

Withdraw.

Further.

Further.

There-

that's better.

---

Now - walk away.

Leave those three little words to splay.

A thick red drip-

to the bone the blade slips.

Those words weren't meant for this day.

---

Float.

Let them float-

into desperate air.

Sink.

Let them sink-

down, in their despair.

And maybe,

somehow,

and maybe,

somewhere-

There, their err will bare.

---

Speak.

Give those three little words meaning.

A truth.

A lie.

If it's something worth speaking.