Student Publishing Program ::

Charlotte Cohn

Footsteps

It's nighttime. Several paces back I wait,
my heartbeat pounding. Ragged breath
makes sound that I'm afraid that you'll relate
to me. I think that I might be obsessed
with this, with you, with fleeting hopeless dreams
that break the moment you detect my stealth.
So easily you crush my self-esteem
by showing me the ruins of myself:
what kind of lover follows through the dark
affection that she cannot face by day?
That's me, pretending therein lies a spark
where nothing lies. There never was a way
to win your love. The chase's joy is gone
and all is lost. It's time to be alone.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2012 EDITION]