The Sunset

Written by Charlie Li

It is sunset, and shadows stretch

through the windows left ajar,

approaching my back as softly as

time slips through my hands.

Like fog, he quietly slithers under shut doors,

without me noticing until he is everywhere.

It is useless trying to impede his approach.

He walks secretly behind me, pale

illuminating his last sight of loneliness

on every pedestrian's face,

begging anyone for their acquaintance.

His ghostly face, almost swallowed by night, gazes at me.

I didn't said anything, only focused on avoiding him.

The gazes have taken their anger out on a crow.

It had been ignited mid-flight, curling

its feathers as if parchment in a flame.

Choked by smoke, the beautiful bird

spirals into its death in vivid hues.

Its hollow, poetic eyes scream as it falls unconscious,

a blackened angel, therefore, despite its achievements,

will soon be long forgotten from the world.

It is a warning to me.  

I look around to see no one but my breath and fear

that one day I will fall into his arms with no return –

I will fall into the cold, unending sleep,

languishing in his unknown, vicious world.

I fear the door leading to him with no returning key,

the sudden switch from sunlight to dark.

Please, let me stay in this flawed flesh,

where roses bloom and laughter leaves its mark—