by James W., 15 (he/him)
Cold winter nights, frost quickly spreading
Ominous alleys and the people lurking inside.
Crowded streets always pushing and pulling
Perpetual darkness forces its way toward you.
Pulled into pieces
Caught like a fish
Days are ending
So are you.
You turn away
Bright, warm glow.
You follow it, you run.
Getting closer, it melts away the dark
Seeping to your bones.
A store,
One most old and ancient.
It illuminates the cobbled roads and shells of buildings around you.
In these ruins, a haven just for you.
Warm summer nights, rays stretching through mountains.
Aisles of toys, shelves of welcoming books.
People smile inside, they laugh, they hug.
It reaches for you.
Trapped into a hug
Caught in a kiss
You’ve won, victorious.
New beginnings
You need this.
You stand outside this quaint shop
Yearning, envious of the warm ones.
You stare in, observing.
Hearing the growls and the huffs of the lurking.
Footsteps rushing towards you, running, hunting.
It’s for you, you know it is.
You decide.
Opening the handle, a swish of warm graces you
A bell rings above your head.
The shopkeeper comes to you.
Smiles all around, nearly makes you melt.
It’s nice here, safe, warm,
you see them outside. Pawing their way in.
The door stays closed.
New Jersey, United States
Bridge Ink 