after-image

arqios

 

Rain streaks the window of the lateโ€‘night tram, 

and I catch my reflection— 

halfโ€‘lit, halfโ€‘blurred, 

a passenger caught in between:

 

Cinema lights sputter, 

half the bulbs gone, 

yet the pavement glows enough 

to draw shadows forward, 

figures drifting past 

like fragments of a reel 

spliced midโ€‘story. 

 

The fairground stalls linger, 

shutters rattling in the wind, 

a lone vendor packs away 

the last cones of cotton candy— 

sweet air dissolving into night, 

traces of laughter 

cling to statued rides. 

 

Conflict leans into silence: 

not fists, nor shouts, 

but the pause of a step 

held too long at the corner, 

a whole city waiting 

for a stalled walker to move again. 

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Author: crypticbard (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: November 8th, 2025 05:03
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 14
  • Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
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Comments +

Comments6

  • sorenbarrett

    Between shadow and person, reflection and real, what was and is there is a land a dimension of neverland where time does not exist and thoughts are stored. Not dark not light it holds what is not real and is only imagined but yet has not sprouted into fantasy. It is a reflection and echo of memory. This poem has a noir feel my friend

    • arqios

      A prompt exercise about presence and I chose film noir as the feel. Thanks for unpeeling the drapery! That is so exciting, dear friend๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

      • sorenbarrett

        It is always a pleasure reading your creations. It exercises the mind and stretches the imagination.

        • arqios

          More often than not, my mind's journeys do not conform. ๐Ÿคฉ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ๐Ÿ™

          • sorenbarrett

            Nor do mine

            • arqios

              ๐Ÿคฉ

            • Jerry Reynolds

              Beautifully written, arqios.

              • arqios

                Thanks, Jerry. Coming from you this is greatly appreciated. ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

              • Tristan Robert Lange

                Arqios, you framed loneliness through light, glass, and movement until the whole scene felt suspended in breath. A quiet masterpiece, my friend. ๐ŸŒน๐Ÿ–ค๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ๐Ÿฆโ€โฌ›

                • arqios

                  To my ears this is a delectable accolade. Thank you Tittu! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

                • Neville



                  This is like me looking at a mirror and pondering upon the reflection of yours truly .. dark and inviting but scary too, like an induced abreaction might be .. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

                  • arqios

                    Got only one mirror in the house and that's tucked away in the top drawer of a mirrorless vanity. The less seen the better, lol ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

                  • Dan Williams

                    Not sure to be saddened or or awakened, provokes thought as all poetry should. Nice work.

                    • arqios

                      Both effects ain't bad either way, I suppose. Thanks for that very affirming response. So good to see you around the site, Dan ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

                    • Goldfinch60

                      Wonderful words Rik showing that things can change in a moment and revert in another moment.

                      Andy

                      • arqios

                        A moment to quick and at other times a moment too long. Thanks, Andy๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ



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