They Grow Layers of Life [Day 26]

They grow layers of life
without
you, a chthonic mark
to imprint,

a sessile archaism
reserved for
tenure probing
dusty tomes
or tactile
pen pressed
against lips.

They grow layers of life
within
you, an empty vessel
to flood,

a 2x2 portrait
of a man who
might be smiling
or a woman who
is smiling.

_{Written for free-verse poetry maven @d-pend's revolutionary poetry initiative The 100 Day Poetry Challenge [Advanced Group] undertaken for Steemit School where @d-pend will be hosting a daily poetry show at 5 PM GMT.}