the eyes of the city stare back
while i stargaze at them—
yellow, orange, and white scattered around.
they only flicker at my eyes' blink.
and the gaze of the city pierces my heart.
right past the wispy fog of its cold embrace,
right past the silent cries of the eerie night,
right past the waning hopes for a better tomorrow.

the city's mountainous terrain is swathed
with haze, as always—a night
suchlike an endless table
where a giant card is lain.
not five of clovers, nor an ace of spades,
not even a King of hearts.
but a thousand diamonds!
one removed from the standard deck,
stashed with the box and the jokers,
where ironically there is no laughter
but judgment.

i stood there from nightfall to daybreak,
trying to read my future,
hoping to find you in it.