Ralph Pullins

 I want to show you something you said, and you pulled the fuse from your chest.  And I stood, I did, and I watched you light it and watched it burn.  Now watch you said, as I explode. I can't I say I can't stay, but what is there but to stay, to watch, what is there but to bear witness? And it burns, it hisses and sputters, but it burns. What can I do? Should I leave you alone? Is there a safe distance?  is there a way to not get hurt? Should I walk away, leave you to your violent end?  And of course I can't, and of course you know that. Watch this, you said, and lit the fuse. And I can't stand it, and I reach for it, I try to put it out, stop the burn, but it slips through my fingers, like smoke, like a ghost, I reach and you grab my hand and you say no.  Watch this, you said, and lit the fuse. There is an inevitability to it, the inevitable explosion the inevitable end, you lit the fuse and asked me to watch as you die; I want to show you something, you ...