spectres

a wednesday in april, the parade grounds

spring rain, warm as a human touch, still falls
this pavement is one long mirror of gray
where crepe myrtles shed crinkled confetti--
pinkest blossoms left by a sad parade

at the field's heart, they play without boundaries--
unselfconscious, he is more boy than man
his feet, innocent and bare, seek the ball
its black and white geometries melting

you stand under your umbrella's black bowl
your heart turns, needle-like, to your desire
(silent, like that character in Duras
the one who watches from the street corner)

your fingers are jealous--slivers of grass
cling to his skin--your lips envy the rain
he kisses, running, laughing, mouth open,
unaware that he is more than mortal

your black shows, with their sensible square heels,
fear the saturated ground and its depths--
I hold this moment still, as I hold all
secrets--though they were my own hungry ghosts
(c) 2000 Lynn Y.
background, Krissi M.
Ms. Younger wrote this for a "Writing 'Reflective Poetry' Activity" for her English IV class last school year. I only had her for Journalism, but since I loved the poem, I snuck two copies of it out of her class!
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