Neon Blue River

Lola Garvie / VMag at UVA

There was a hill out by the dark sky. rivers

where the horizon danced, flowing

through places muted gray, and past

mumbling cries of the end of the line, time

for ramshackle off-white houses.

The crests of ripples colored neon,

crystalline as the moonlight came shining

through the cloud breaks in a

purple blue green shining dark sky,

one night so long ago

when I paused; my heartbeat rising,

a crescendo when I saw leaves burning and falling,

seeing where your eyes were leading

taking my hand and bringing me home

back across the cold asphalt.

I awoke in my darkened room only to find it all gone,

left with naught but microwave dinners spoiled by broken promises,

four off-white walls and cabinets, empty,

leftover boxes by the ransacked.

Pantry, a victim of the night before.

It was a summer day, Though

There were no flowers wilting

in the tall grass growing by the broken

fence which stands weathered and alone,

round the back of my apartment.

The view from my window lacks the rivers

flowing in my dreams, so in my mind

I think about how many rocks are still lead

changing around and coming back to you

as bullets.