The closest thing to living.

"So why do you stay?"
they ask me
"Like two cats
with tails tethered together
flung over a line
to tear each other to shreds
in the name of..."
but by then
I cut them off.

"No, not that word,"
I correct them.
"That's far too pragmatic."

"Then what is it?"
they ask, wishing for
a dictionary.

"Do you know
that feeling you get
when you're driving at night
on the left side of
a two-lane highway
and you come up behind
another vehicle at
twenty over the speed limit
and they immediately move
aside for you because they're
assuming you must be a cop
since you're going that fast
and when they realize you're not
and misjudged your headlights
they get back in the left lane
but its too late since
you've passed them already
and are almost out of site?"

"No."

"Then nevermind."