She Is Kind and Unwelcoming

She was, for a second, there
Elbow on the shag counter in the band hall
While it was briefly orchestra rehearsal
Curious if I was a twin

And I remember that--
That teenage disgust with a mistake
You feel so obvious
Until the shock of rumors pass

That one conversation
Leaning into our narrative
Before she drowns
in her own

I was rude;
Sarcasm was the only power
I had and the dregs of the 80s
Were bitter beneath my tongue

Nostalgia pretends kindness
Come sit with me and share
This memory before
She knifes me, nameless


Sharing today with The Sunday Muse and Poets United. I can't believe there's just a week left in August...and although I'm hoping fall brings some relief from the broiling days and the allergies and the wheezing I'm also not sure I'm ready to close out this year. Hence, the threat of looking backwards but not finding exactly what one expects. I love the idea of the prompt image as a kind of goddess of nostalgia, pretending to paint herself in lifelike colors but always subtly changing them, welcoming you in before the things you didn't see or know at the time ambush you as she opens her eyes to hindsight. Hmmm...this might be something to file away for a later story.

Hope you're having a good/creative/present week and that all your puppies are housebroken!! :) 

-- Chrissa