after the end of the world by norman douglas all masks come off, colleges give out wings, houses optional, almost as open as what lies behind electricity conducting conversation closer to where mouths resuscitate lives no longer playing stranger. ... we start stepping over thresholds, finding places feel better when shared, memories heard close as hearts, touch rippling anticipation away, nights warmed according to doubled touch dawning like noon gave us this chance, this learning the self through the gifts found with an other.