Feste's Lute

In those days
the accolades
fell like stars,
a piercing rain
that fixed our hands
and feet.
These days
the weight
escapes at night,
tied to our
right to speak.

Ensemble pauses —
Valves and springs,
aligning reeds
and winding strings.
Taking notes,
she left the rest
to teach him
how to breathe.