Their heartbeats converse
then burst from their cages

As they shed layers of clothes and
years of mistrust.

Other readers have skimmed
her tear-soaked chapters with disinterest,
but he bathes in each letter.

He exposes his bloodstained pages
for the first time,
and she absorbs every painful word.

They unfold their tattered hardcovers
and make room inside
for each other’s broken story.