The State of It

The State of It

Contributed by Shaina Lopez-mckeown

Think about the shell you live inside of
Think of it seizing the stars
With one long reach
I can pull them inward for you
Now you own the universe, alone

Think about the oceans you dream of
Would you like them too?
Done. I’ve gathered them all
And poured them delicately around you.
Now the sky is black, it sings of whales
The stars swim around you as a pod
Of children would. Here, you can pretend
You aren’t alone

Is this all you need?
Or is the water cold because the stars are
Just ghosts of lights that have died
All echoes of whales were once goodbyes
And the sky never moves into day
Because this is your tomb
And you are alone

Just as I have left you