Rummy Park, 35
(Chasm)

by Rebecca Lu Kiernan

It’s a cavernous country,
Stalactites dripping onto stalagmites,
The smell of winter
Metallic and the black blue of a bruise,
Albino fish born without eyes,
Splashing sloppily at the surface
Seducing dog faced bats,
Happy suicide.
There are rumors of treasures buried,
Extinct lizards emerging,
Hieroglyphs of ruined genius nations.

Affection is a traitorous dream
Of clean billabong blue
And lush meadow green
And turquoise fountains in sunny parks,
But I’m a patriot to the bone
And happily face the limestone dark
Where your shadow cannot cross.