At this blue hour, The famished earth reclaims me For your lanterns and legends For your spooling fern, the fastidious burn Me, alley cat, desperate for even a mention I’m still stored in your ligatures, I’m still poured into your crypt, I’m still remembering your smile lines as scripture I’m still obsessively measuring the conflict And I say, casually, I want out of your narrative Yet allow myself to remain Captive by the sweet orb of the endless sad I hold it as a monument, Cellularly, it is my circling desire to be your prey- The longing is imperative. Copyright ©️ Kimberly Virga 2026