Descending the staircase draped in white. Arms extend out in guidance. Pale cloth pulled taught against ones’ mouth. Gasps grow ragged. Sheathed in linen. Delicate to the touch. Hollowed out. Swallowing. Breaking as breath is drawn. Losing all permanence. Arms extend out in prayer. Fingers trace seams and holes. Hollowed out. Swallowing. Breaking as breath is drawn. Cracked and weathered. Soft to the touch. A smile forms. The curtain falls. See me when I hold you close. See me when I let you go.