Shadows and Decay
Rachel Lofgren

Violins at night:

reasons to write,

reasons to fight.


I know they need

a chance to play.

So I gather up

the dust and memories.


But memories burn,

so I turn

and I yearn


For flowers gone, skies

from days and years

ago. Dandelion wishes, stolen

kisses, apple-scented summer air.


The violins play

the night away

for dreams astray.