THAT VIRGINIA by Amalray

Under cascades of birds

chirping colorful swarms

I walk on the same clean roads

you just walked yesterday.

A toy stuck in its mechanism

I religiously search

Over and over, I vacuum

all areas of town, it's the same sun 

that strikes me in late mornings

along the barren roofs’ skyline

strawberry, lavender and after mint tints.

A pale yellow pierces me deep in my heart

was it your tank top

or your beautiful arms.

I stroll down Virginia ave

on sunny mornings alone,

delinquent I burst blindfolded by light

and slide down the hill

as I do many times

others' working days in leisure I enjoy.

I am out on my own with no one to play

I turn left on Monroe

there are no signs of life

just quiet cars cruise by the lifeless row

of soft pastels townhouses’ emaciated tones.

I turn my eyes uphill to the traffic that speeds

and see butterflies drawn to fire that kills

beauty and poison

of decadent flowers

that grow wild on Ponce to breathe air that’s sour .

There is a tranquil simplicity

here hiding our crimes

covering tragedies of everyday life.

It’s hope or monotony which make us all numb

to live in a dream’s dissonance and charm.

Could it be the architecture, the linear design

the empty stores’ windows, the derelict beings?

This walk is a sample of our Southern lives

covered by dust and irreparable lies.