The Quiet Collapse

We burned like stars in distant skies,

Where longing made the silence wise.

Each word, a spark — each pause, a prayer,

We loved like those who couldn’t dare.

But pockets strained, and dreams grew thin,

And hunger knocked its way within.

The rent unpaid, the hope on lease,

Our kisses bought a moment's peace.

No ledger kept, no figures faced,

Just silent hope, silently erased.

The burden heavy, held by none,

Until the battle was unwon.

You stayed, I stayed — not out of choice,

But debt had dimmed our inner voice.

No fights, no flames, just unpaid dues,

And love became a thing we’d lose.

No iron bound these tired hands,

But promises and small demands.

The freedom sold to bills and bread,

The fire cold, the laughter dead.

We shared a bed of silent grief,

Two captives praying for relief.

Each “I love you” a practiced line,

To mask the fear, to buy us time.

In half a Jupiter year or so,

The passion ceased to ebb or grow.

We stayed like ghosts in once-warm rooms,

Where flowers bloomed but never perfumed.

The chains we wore were soft and light,

No metal — just the weight of night.

Not every love will burn or break —

Some slowly fold, for silence’ sake.