silicosis
you were somebody that i used to know
eluent separating the memories
as memories fade
like the contents of the vials
degrading over time
i thought i was over you
i really, really did
but deep down
stuck to my heart
like tar to glass
maybe i want to forget
dump the silica into the waste jar
to hell with the product
the NMR looks like shit anyway
as I sit at my desk in resignation
a bitter taste lingering
carcinogenic and foul
but sweet, seductively so
like chloroform,
evaporating away
these are just words on a page
those are just lines on a printout
there is no meaning to the unenlightned
but to those who know
they will understand
silica tearing up my lungs
tearing through my heartstrings
i cough hard
maybe tomorrow will be better
the waste is labeled for disposal
slated for disposal
i need to move on
there are more important projects
and then i see her
out the corner of my eye
the pile of NMRs never was organized
and i'm reminded of what once was
what i thought was progress
but i was merely getting nowhere
and things were abruptly terminated
left on a cliffhanger
aimless, with no direction
i get back on my feet again
i never even felt the fall
lost in the flow regime
i think about what could've been
a second publication, and my five minutes of fame
a blooming relationship, and finally joy
my labor and love, unrequited
i hope you're happy now.