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poetry by A.A. 

Reconstructed, Governors State University's art and literary journal, 2015-2016

 

poetry by A.A. 

Reconstructed, 2016

The Stained Red Road

Silent owls watch

as midnight fades from black

and all the drunks squint their eyes

and hastily scatter off the streets

 

Silent eyes are looking

as he sneaks out of the room

and starts the car

and waits to turn the lights on until he’s

down the block

 

Silent lights illuminate

as the black streets rise to a color of dark gray

early workers close their eyes as their cars

drive them through the ghostly highways

“windows down and snooze”

 

Silent ghosts are listening

to the dreary morning radio

droning on about the upcoming day

the first day of school for children

“the weather is very weather today”

 

Silent children laugh

as they walk to the bus stop

lunchboxes clenched in their tiny fists

thanking god for moms who pack gourmet lunches

(today it’s peanut butter and jelly

with fruit snacks on the side)

 

And silent gods aren’t caring

as one child crosses the road

and the tired driver’s eyes close

and the ghosts gasp

and the owls fly away

and the blaring lights travel

down the stained red road

Reconstructed, Governors State University's art and literary journal, 2016-2017

 

poetry by A.A. 

Reconstructed, 2017

I didn't look

I looked into a mirror once

and saw everything I felt

I saw blurry voices and

I saw stolen skin and

I saw thoughts that can’t

be unspoken

 

I looked into a mirror once

and saw everything I did

I saw forgotten secrets and

I saw whispered regrets and

I saw actions that can’t

be undone

 

I looked into a mirror once

and saw everything I heard

I saw blaring sirens and

I saw nervous screams and

I saw words that can’t

be undiscerned

 

I looked into a mirror once

and saw what I’d become

I saw this ugly mind and

I saw this dirty body and

I saw my self that can’t

be understood

 

I looked into a mirror once

and saw everything I felt

and saw everything I did

and saw everything I heard

and saw what I’d become

becoming who I wasn’t

 

I looked into the rearview

I saw lights dance, flashing

 

I looked through broken glass

I saw blood seeping in cracks

 

I looked down at the wheel

I saw bruising hands grip, tight

 

I looked into a mirror once

I didn’t dare look round at you

 

I looked into a mirror once

and I –

you never will again

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