these are the words
these are the secret words
held deep underground quivering ember glowing
with key lost in youth

words that flicker in candlelight
whispered frighteningly and apologetically
at the end of prayers

gasping and wheezing unholy words
that rise from deathbeds
upon a world unbreakable and broken

these are the words that hang
in clouds on winter walks
retold in dimly lit forests for eternity