- Luna Martinez
Standing Alone
by Luna Martinez
Inspired by “a Recollection of October 5th 1858” (1858) by William Dyce
Standing alone
Packed and prepared
Scouring for a glimmering speck of guidance
Possibly tucked in the crevice
Of a stone which I’ve fumbled over
My shovel digs the hole
Of where I am destined to fall
A warm place to call home
In the cool depths of the earth
I wait for the ones
Who told me to wait here
I do as I’m told
Observing and shivering
I have an itch
Which I can’t seem to reach
But if I move
I’ll be sorry
The wandering eyes sear my soul
Imprinting a stamp of judgment
Onto my marshmallow heart
Which goes up in flames
Stopped in my tracks
My mind buzzes
As the dirt swallows my feet
My thoughts flourish
I take a step
I drop the shovel
Chasing a rainbow
Sprouted by my imagination
My eyes are closed
But my gaze is set
Ripping off my coat
I dance through the fluorescent pasture
Butterflies decorate my wild locks
The sun toasts my cheeks
Leaping for joy
Landing in a pool of honey
Breathing in the colors
I cough
My eyes are torn open
My rainbow is gone
I stand up
From the muddy puddle
Shriveled is my body
That is being mocked by passersby
My smile fades
Back into the cave where it resided
Clutching the scratchy coat
My knuckles whiten
Then relax
I pick up my shovel
Waiting
And digging
Standing alone
I search for familiar faces
Befriending the soot
That coats my face
Waiting
For the butterflies
For the sun
For something
For someone
But here I am
Standing alone