fly by night (a tale told by dead friends)
by e.r. trdina
we are meant to be untamed
and fear a nighttime ocean
(for she makes to promises),
to keep aces up sleeves,
and queens in the wings.
cheat with a pride never captured,
set free with abandon and asininity.
live with the recklessness and heart of youth,
dream of being a tale told by dead friends.
to sing out prayers of devil-may-care,
ask to make sure she never forgets.
yet have you felt the twisting of my heart,
as we cough up our lives and our lungs?
how with the ache of this betrayal i am weak,
with no prayers to what lies above?
slick with this misguided will i bespeak,
infected with lies of once-comrades,
for if you were willing to double-deal your cards,
fold corners and kiss the last disciple,
did we ever truly know ourselves at all?
lest we push saint peter to his limits,
sold out for short satisfaction,
the scum upon which we were raised.
let fate have not us be forgotten,
us, alley cats in a land of lions,
baring claws and rebellion above,
young and full of rage.
oh, torture!
to give up our livelihoods and dreams,
to succumb to what drains and chews us.
alas, if we are to lose ourselves now,
know i breathe my last
with an ace in my sleeve,
my brothers at my sides.
by e.r. trdina
we are meant to be untamed
and fear a nighttime ocean
(for she makes to promises),
to keep aces up sleeves,
and queens in the wings.
cheat with a pride never captured,
set free with abandon and asininity.
live with the recklessness and heart of youth,
dream of being a tale told by dead friends.
to sing out prayers of devil-may-care,
ask to make sure she never forgets.
yet have you felt the twisting of my heart,
as we cough up our lives and our lungs?
how with the ache of this betrayal i am weak,
with no prayers to what lies above?
slick with this misguided will i bespeak,
infected with lies of once-comrades,
for if you were willing to double-deal your cards,
fold corners and kiss the last disciple,
did we ever truly know ourselves at all?
lest we push saint peter to his limits,
sold out for short satisfaction,
the scum upon which we were raised.
let fate have not us be forgotten,
us, alley cats in a land of lions,
baring claws and rebellion above,
young and full of rage.
oh, torture!
to give up our livelihoods and dreams,
to succumb to what drains and chews us.
alas, if we are to lose ourselves now,
know i breathe my last
with an ace in my sleeve,
my brothers at my sides.
E.R. Trdina is a student, musician, and poet at Walkersville High School. They have represented the state of Maryland twice in the National PTA Reflections Art Contest and received honorable mentions both times. Their work has also been featured in "presence.", a zine by and for young, queer artists in Frederick.
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