you promise safety
you promise an end
they can taste it, and
see the fatigue, the commitment
in your eyes
you can't lie to them
not now
not when your planet is burning
and their planet is falling
you don't know the words
(you don't have them)
(they were lost the moment the beam split the air)
(and rose to meet the fleeing shuttle)
(and embraced it)
(quietly)
your ears ring as they leave, as
he gets away
(again)
you can't breathe, and
your vision is clouded
liara whispers something, but
you're too shattered to hear
(you've been broken)
the boy's face appears in your mind
you can't help me, he says
(you can't help anyone)