Night Thrills
By Donna Dallas
As the night withdraws
itself from all the lonely souls
who wander aimlessly
I lay tethered to the ground
sulk in dismay
As the night moves away
pulls with it that blanket of coziness
I so desire
I live with these nights
the flirting dark smiles as it breezes by
then sneers behind my back
while it carves my core out
from under my trusting gut
That sultry shadow scrapes
across my face
longingly
I turn my cheek in rebellion
Night pulls its dark tail away
leaves me with approaching dawn
alone in the bed
alone in my head
Morning Ghosts
By Donna Dallas
Pass through me
with the chill of dawn
as they wander the grounds
never feel the cool blades of grass
against any skin that was theirs
-- no more --
long for the warm glints
the sun shares as it breaks
through the trees in rising glory
They skitter about
try desperately to latch on to something
lay claim to a cardinal
or coast aboard the massive wings
of a hawk
They ride along on some living organism
attempt to recreate that wonderful sensation
of living
over and over
About Donna Dallas: I studied Creative Writing and Philosophy at NYU’s Gallatin School and was lucky enough to study under William Packard, founder and editor of the New York Quarterly. Lately, I am found in Gathering of Tribes, Horror Sleaze Trash, Beatnik Cowboy and The Opiate. I serve on the editorial team for New York Quarterly.
