A Dark Catalyst

July 2025

A coffee mug burning to the touch

vapours snake in the air above,

a deep inhale kills the first horde

and the next takes its place.

The tabletop creaks under pressure;

a coffee mug

a sharp handknife

lavender scented candles

and flowers in its vicinity-

tulips and petals of Lantana-

paper and ink, words unintelligible,

smudged by drops of a salt-dissolved concoction;

much like the scarce uneven rain-

in traces and in intervals they fall-

they paint the paper grey.

The wet grey spreads and softens

until the paper loses purpose.

No more ink can it hold,

much like the overburdened tabletop.

Thus both wade close to an impending doom.