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Clara Changxin Fang: Don’t Go Away

October 24, 2016 by PBQ

The night shakes its wings and the sky 
hasn't folded its whitewashed lawn chairs. 
 
Hyacinths in the garden gleam like pale fire, 
the forests are crammed with shadowy fish. 
 
I heard you say: I don’t know  
when I’m coming back.  
 
Once, I lost my car in a strange city   
while we circled the streets searching 
 
for a way home. All was dark except  
where we glimpsed ballroom dancers  
 
flickering like moths through a window.  
At dinner, we spoke to each other  
 
one or two words only. Yet here we are,  
alone in your car while I cast my net  
 
for something to say.  
Stay. Take me with you.  
 
If you go, I will see your eyes   
looking back in every corner.  
 
I won’t have to listen 
to hear you call my name. 
 
If you go, you must come back quickly. 
Or else clouds will sweep the rooms with rain. 

Filed Under: Contributors 94, Issue 94, Poetry, Poetry 94 Tagged With: Clara Changxin Fang, Contributors 94, Poetry, Poetry 94

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