You’re just an old day
that ended in disillusion.
Venice—
the winter, 2006.
When the sun sank
over the ocean’s edge,
the wind became frigid.
The beach—
dark and deserted.
The dreads, incense, crystals—
just mimicry of people you dream of being.
Peace Frog—
Live at a boardwalk bar.
A Doors cover band
costumed as characters,
staging someone else’s rebellion,
we teens walked out—
vowing never to return.
Yesterday, I revisited that sensation—
leaving your stairwell.
Poet’s Bio: Born and raised in Los Angeles, Michael Roque began writing poetry and prose while studying at Pasadena City College. He has been based in Tel Aviv since 2013. He is the author of Writing to a Raid Siren (Pomegranate Press). His work has appeared in literary journals including North Dakota Quarterly, The Queen’s Review, The Roanoke Rambler, Poetry Super Highway, and BlazeVOX.