A Corpse’s Lament

• Sarah Lancaster, Grade 12, Redcliffe State High School -
• Poetry
• 2022

Excellence Award in the 'Unleashed 2022' competition

the light falters; shadows blurred
knees brush the pavement clean
red stains on ripped jeans
crimson mouth bent open towards
a shattered sky; no apparent cause

life means nothing to me. we are not friends nor enemies,
perhaps pals long forgotten:
together in nostalgic whims, and not much else
the ribbons tying me here are faded,
sun stained fabric longing to snap.
i long for it to snap

it can always go downhill, green grass flying out of sight
i just hope i go down with it
a tower falling on a windswept night;
a stream of scarlet on a maple-wood floor;
a whisper of goodbye at an empty room’s open door