Copper, black, Plastic, gold

Once there was

a copper haired boy and

a black haired girl who

Lived in a city of

plastic whose inhabitants

were convinced it was

made of shimmering gold.

(Confident in their affluence, oblivious,

empty eyes and empty within)

But all the boy

and the girl see

are shadows and

empty shells, million dollar homes

might as well be dust.

I’m the boy.

you’re the girl

(But you knew that already)

This city…

black and white,

the air is pregnant always

with the anticipation of

rain that never comes

And the church…

I’m disillusioned, honestly

They indoctrinate us with

fantastic, baroque tales of

God and Lucifer.

we listen politely, convinced still slightly

of fire and brimstone

I noticed a blue silhouette,

hollow steeple of a

hollow church, a shadow

of truth

I stepped to the edge of the pool

clear ripples, serene, probably

cold, though I did not touch it

I imagined it was a vast ocean

I contemplated drifting away

(then I recalled fire

and brimstone)

Unsure, I looked back

to you,

smiling that smile

part innocence, part subtle smirk

   does she read my thoughts?

   she doesn’t have to,

   she knows them already

I ponder death, stepping right

to the edge then

walk back to you

sit next to you, safe.

feel the warmth,

gaze at the pool from a distance

I tilt my head.

the steeple reflects

even in the water.