they survived us

funnily enough, we knew when enough
was enough. an oddly matched
matchbox, a sudden flame.
they survived us, they survived us, they survived
despite the bloody nights
and crying over versace shoes
they burned longer
and we burned out
while i burn paraffin oil, pore
over another man's pores, not thinking
of you, nightmaring of him.
they survived us, goddammit
even though i thought i knew
that love was something calmer and
warmer. in the city, with no seasons
and many bridges, with unwanted jobs
scabbing over your scapulae
where there used to be wings
they are surviving on cheap wine, silky
blackout selfie nights.
and of course we knew
when enough was enough
which is in itself an act of love
but when the hitter is happier
and the bruised one is lonely
it seems unfair that they got to survive.