#oubliette
Finally relaxing
on my high-rise roof
I notice you across the street on
your balcony seemingly aloof
listening to vintage Carly Simon,
“That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard it Should Be”
You stare my way and energetically waive
I hesitate, smile and then return the gesture
As if on cue you stand and press against the railing
Still smiling as my heart beats faster
"What's your name?" you playfully cry out
"Who wants to know?" is my surprising reply
~Who really am I?
Sudden flashbacks hijack my thinking
~Song lyrics dredging up buried memories…
Why is this happening? Why am I sinking?
~Triggered
I hear your beseeching, unintelligible shouts as I retreat
Painful memories open like an oubliette under my feet—
p
l
u
n
g
i
n
g
Lost and languishing in isolation's labyrinth
© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.
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Aug 8, 2020
Aug 8, 2020 at 12:53 AM UTC