The Knicknackery Issue Three - Monsters - 2015 | Page 31

oubliette

Jennifer Lobaugh

I shambled the streets just as much in your absence—

smoking left-handed and rankling with thirst.

I hated parades, but I loved the procession

of jilted cathedrals on spurned granite setts.

I kept my vigil over Place de la Concorde,

a gargoyle in pin curls and pearls at her throat.

The cat-calls and catacombs yearned to replace you;

the boulevards swooned, and I ached to forget.

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