Arrow Rock Literary Journal

A cold spot in the room

A light flickering off then on

A little piece of you left in a place

Where it doesn’t belong

It feels like you’re still here

But I know you weren’t here for long

I know that once you were able,

You insisted on pressing on

You headed off into the direction

of that endless unknown

Far from these tethers and chains

Far from this home

With that same gleeful curiosity

You stepped through the gate

With that same reckless ambition

You refused to wait

And if you’d been asked

You’d give your radiant smile

And politely refuse the request

To stay with us for awhile

This room is now empty

I can feel it deep in my bones

Even though I carry you with me

I know that I am alone

I don’t blame you for leaving

I couldn’t ask you to stay

I know why you left

So I hope you’re far away

It feels like you’re still here

But I know you weren’t here for long

You were exploring the edges of the universe

Before we knew you were gone

---

Victoria Lane is a graduating senior at Lindenwood, completing her degree with majors in Game Design, Digital and Web Design, and Art History. She plans to continue her education through Lindenwood’s Writing MFA, where she intends to write more original fiction and poetry. She loves to read comic books, collect action figures, watch films, play video games, make art, and yes, write. 

Portfolio – victoriamlane.com

Instagram – @victoriamadilynlanee