Body

In the shady alleyway
the figures bend
and end their days
hugging those they love
and shrugging those they loathe.
In these gray moments
you can only see
only feel
silhouettes
black
against the zest of life and light
that burns behind their figures.
Some figures lean against the cool brick wall
scratching their bodies and their clothes
but keeping their inner skin from being touched.
Other bodies lean against each other
lightly
slightly
making contact with each other’s hearts
each other’s souls.
Still others
stand with space the size of Antarctica between them
so far away
each other’s facial intricacies
smiles
eyes
freckles
become invisible.
Twinkling lights flash between bodies
regardless.
In these dark alleys
between mountains of buildings and rivers of sidewalks
among putrid dumpsters
rats
and cats
amid shops and homes and dreams and things
feelings and wishes and words and desires and fears
also float through the air
and drift between bodies.
And out of the darkness comes mystery
comes new days
emerges enemies
friendships
lovers.
The figures bend around the darkness to find the light
their light
the light each shares with the other body.