**Rhetoric**

Isn't it ironic

that when we've erased all trace of what was

cleared our frontal lobe of all memory

that all it takes

is seven words

from an unknown phone

"hi stranger. How are you...it's _____________"

and i am once again

sucked

back

into you?

**flashbacks**

almost a month later and i find myself intermittently trapped in thoughts of you
flashbacks that brings a smile to my lips...a curve splaying across my face that seems to illuminate me from within
and with it...a frown that reminds me how much i hated the aftermath of the seemingly forbidden
and then the tears come...as i remember the last time
when you freed me....and in the same breath...trapped me within the cradle of your arms
these thoughts are the worse
to realize that I've lost what I've always wanted
but never really had
and now i crave you here once more
pulling you through the letters of your name that i trace with my fingers
highlighted by the glow on the screen
i dream you into being

Portia's Speech from the Merchant of Venice

I will forever love this excerpt:

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven,
Upon the place beneath.
It is twice blessed.
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
It is mightiest in the mightiest,
It becomes the throned monarch better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
An attribute to awe and majesty.
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself.
And earthly power dost the become likest God's,
Where mercy seasons justice.
Therefore Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That in the course of justice we all must see salvation,
We all do pray for mercy
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy.
I have spoke thus much to mittgate the justice of thy plea,
Which if thou dost follow,
This strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentance gainst the merchant there.