Hello There
A poem by Julia R. DeStefano
Hello There
A piercing sigh, once your clarion call -
my heart shrieks in remembrance of that now-alien era
when you wouldn’t allow a frown upon my cinnamon lips
in a promise to never leave this Queen’s botanical garden.
Because I enthralled you at every turn.
Buoyed by my laughter and smile.
Inspired by these thoughts that flow from me.
Moved by my strength.
The perfect woman, your mirror, funny as hell -
I remember those words
like I remember your eyes begging the question,
Why so serious?
A Puddin’ plying my overwrought mind
with riddles and kisses and real talk
as I lit like a firefly while melting.
Having secretly ached for the thaw.
Someone to trust with the Wonderland of my friendship
where it had been met with Gothams.
To know I am not a windup toy
to satiate one-sided boredom and loneliness.
Until you iced me out like a Freeze of this dimension
to reaffix your black mask of lonesome emptiness,
and replace the light with gloom
as presence no longer became my present.
Steeping me in my fear toxin of disconnect
despite knowing the things I carry.
My past abuses.
These ways that I break when solids become sands.
But it isn’t that hard to treat me right.
Turning hell here into hello there.
Reason enough to dust off your cape and cowl.
On the hunt for someone lost,
doubtful that you ever existed,
and hurt by the whiplash.
Earning your stripes
and therefore, your Ivy.
© Julia R. DeStefano
