Afterimage
It's a breakup poem! I don't want to spoil the story by saying who it's about, but it's from Shadowplay. There's a lot of heartbreak in that one, I'm afraid. Honestly, it's mostly heartbreak. And drugs. They say every painting is a self-portrait, right?
I don't go to your side of town these days.
The glutinous air in the afternoon
smells like the incense you kept in your room.
You've stolen this city in all kinds of ways.
On paper I can't add up what went wrong.
I took down each word that you said, you see,
added in the answers you got from me -
of course I had to bring my notes along!
You scarred each sense with your silhouette.
Each bottle of your favorite beer is haunted,
a heart attack at the sound of each step,
leaving me trapped in the freedom you flaunted.
I can't square up all our sorries and regrets…
Can only hope you found what you wanted.
