It followed that the houses
were empty
misshapen, as though
the builders
had a miscommunication
fundamental
with the architects
whoever was responsible
for seeing this through
gave up
I wonder about them
Did they walk
to the pier? Did they watch
the waves and
did they want to be other
than they were?
How specific was their desire?
Did they
for instance, have a name for it
like disappear,
or reappear, revisit, worry,
ineptitude,
abscond, obliterate. How to name
the thing? Looking
for language that fits experience
exactly.
Better to find it soon, to settle
on metaphor
The pier offers something,
extending across calm water,
its rough wood is
almost a boat,
almost a way to leave.
Author: Kasey Johnson
Email: [email protected]
Author Bio: Kasey Elizabeth Johnson is a third-year medical student. She is interested in the intersection of race, class, gender, mental health and addiction in literature and in healthcare education and practice. Her writing has been published in Bodega Magazine, Bone Bouquet, Corium Magazine, Paper Nautilus, Prick of the Spindle, Saranac Review, among others. She holds an MA from the University of New Mexico and a BA from Reed College.
