Last Sunset by Novo Dé

Last sun setting on the line.

As it falls into the Earth like it always has,

And always will.

Before me, and after me,

Beautiful in its glowing warmth,

Flowing over me with delicate precision,

The rays tip-toeing over my skin,

The movement rustling silk,

The dance of Spring all around me.

Because this is it, bliss.

The only kind of bliss I need,

Because as it sets, so does everything else,

So does everything vibrate,

And move, and glisten.

Except me.

I remain.

Because I must.

Could sit out here forever,

As it all turns to dew, wet,

Cool to the touch.

But forever is just a moment today

As the sun goes down.

Because this is it,

Divine,

As goes the radiance in the sky,

the colors, changing.

So no need to move,

No need to think,

Just need to be.

Because this is my last sunset.

A perfect sunset.

Like all the rest.

Cemented as my last memory.

A memory that holds all others now.

Because I need nothing more than this.

Just time to lay naked in the grass, soft,

Breeze through my hair,

Wind on my tongue,

A galore of smells young and old,

And the glowing hum of the wild.

One last sunset.

Nothing else I need now.

But time to rest.

Bagel by Alexandra Parsons

It’s the moment when exhaustion and hunger entwine together

The moment when the thing you love the most captures your every being

Green jacket, fur cap

Polish man who has been working a 17 hour shift with hardly a break

The food he saved in his plastic little bag has been gently wrapped and secured

for his stomach later

Every hour went by as the day grew longer and longer, where he thought of that

bagel stored away for home.

As his feet grew heavy so did his stomach and his heart

He put his green jacket on, his fur hat and hurried to the subway so he could

catch the train.

It wasn’t until he finally rested,

Finally sat, that he remembered he had his bagel

Like an old friend waiting for you at home

Like a lover with a secret message, he finally got to enjoy his plane bagel

As he closed his eyes he bit into his bagel, he slowly appreciated every bite.

As the bagel finally vanished his eyes opened

And that sense of sadness comes over him that happens when your meal is gone,

That same sense when your lover leaves,

Or your favorite TV show is canceled.

That moment is over,

But there’s always more,

Always something more to look forward to.

Saltaire by Alexandra Parsons

The essence of you

The taste of the salt on your skin

Your soft beautiful skin

Leftover sand in our hair

The hot wood under my back

That gaze you gave me

That moment I knew you loved me

Water in your eyes

A sigh in and out

You turn away to catch your breath

I knew, we knew

This was forever

Blueberries and morning walks to the kitchen

Ants on the white counter

Overpriced eggs

Abundant laughs

How the bells ring

The sound of the wind while sleeping in the nude

Reflections of you

Bathtub full of cold water

Irritation arises in your honor

Stones and confused

With nothing to do but dream of you

Dancing Santas and thinking I’m dead

Chocolate Weed

And a bite too big

Showers to keep me sober

Memories of you but with no tomorrow

Sunbathing nude and not a clue

This will be one of my last moments with you

On this salty dune

I’ll taste you once more

When my feet touch the beach floor

And my tongue tastes that salty air

Oh Saltaire

Will always be yours

And everything I do

Will always be for you.

Unnamed | Oct 14th, 2019

Death plays on us like a game of roulette

Maybe that’s why you called me your queen of roulette

But your luck ran out

Your heartbeat stopped

Death was waiting at his toll booth

“The only fee is your life,” he laughs.

“We all have to pay up at some point.”

“No cheating death tonight,” he says.

“But it’s our anniversary, out first, please sir, let me go back.”

I can hear her cries

I can feel her tears

Death taps his fingers

Thinks for a moment and says,

“Be thankful you died in love,

Be grateful you died without pain,

Most people die with a lot less.”

You lived a full life

And you’ll meet again

Maybe even in this lifetime

But I am sorry Mr. J.D. Butler

That body is gone

Your soul is free

Death is but an illusion

But still…a fee is a fee.

I cant make an exception

Not even for you

Just know you’ll see them again

And it will be soon.