A journal of art + literature engaging with nature, culture, the environment & ecology

At a Streetcar Stop

Ahrend Torrey, USA

 

Two old men argue 

about last night’s game; 

I smell diesel and oil.

 

A young man sits 

next to me, with his wife 

and young boy, then flicks 

a half-smoked cigarette 

in the sand at our feet. 

 

I look at the back of my lids 

and imagine this spot 

hundreds of years ago: 

lush and tall with pines, 

green and thriving. 

 

When I open them,

a stream of cigarette smoke floats 

above our feet 

and a Snickers wrapper—

 

time burning and burning 

amid two pink barrettes 

and a Solo cup.


 

Ahrend Torrey is a creative writing graduate from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. When he is not writing, or working in New Orleans, he enjoys the simpler things in life, like walking around City Park with his husband, Jonathan, and their two rat terriers Dichter and Dova. Forthcoming this year, his collection of poems, Small Blue Harbor will be available from The Poetry Box Select imprint.

Two poems by Rachel Cunniffe

The Plain of all Delusions