then, air
for Vianne Armour
— for what was already there — then, air
The room held itself
in velvet and red—
curtains heavy
with silence
rehearsed
mirrors
waiting
to repeat
marble cool
beneath it all—
centuries of steps
remembering
stillness
The light stayed longer
when you were in it
no touching—
just
gathering
around you
tracing
your edges
as if
not quite allowed
Air shifted
not in the music—
where the room
no longer
held itself
fabric
along the walls
shifting
not opening—
just
less certain
of its weight
a hush
settled
You didn’t touch me
but something in me
answered
before I knew
I didn’t want
to hold you
only to notice
the way you already moved—
before I understood
ㅤ
weight lifted
from your feet
the space between
gave
air
moved aside
the light
held
we were already
moving
the music
kept time
with our breath
our heartbeats
weight
no longer
returned
the air between
gave
ㅤ
breath
met
and held
the floor
found us again
quietly
as if
it had always
been there
If these words have meant something to you,
you can step a little closer by becoming a paid subscriber to us.
If you become a paid subscriber to me before the end of April,
I’ll write you a poem.
It helps support the writing,
and gives you access to a set of pieces
that live just inside.
I’m always open to thoughtful writing collaborations.
Other prose and poems from me.
Nothing truly leaves — it just changes how it stays.
If something moved in you — a silence that whispered — I’d love to hear it below, or in my DM’s.
All artwork courtesy of NDjin Gallery















This is beautifully restrained, making it real and deeply felt. <3
I got to you didn’t touch me but something in me answered and... had to put my phone down for a second like... wow, rude, in an affectionately, as always~