the twelfth
The streets of Shiraz
I walk through saffron scented streets
In search of kindred embrace,
But really in search of simple forgiveness
In hope of quelling amorous fancies, lofty,
But on as I walk
And see young people smiling
Amidst the cypress and oak trees too,
I revel in subdued joy as your reflection haunts
The glazed pond
Just below that lovers bridge,
Gilded in cooling tears, frigid
And entombed in ardor,
But time unconditional
Gives way to slow fading infatuation.
Reciprocal some say,
Never had but longed for,
Deep in gloamings whimsical
Where on I gave to you
Momentary respite from broken promises
And bitter men, ever manipulative,
But on as I walk
Through sensational streets
Where flowing robes and peppered aromas consume
All sense of wanderlust,
Is where I see crystal ending
Beyond safe options, fleeting and irrelevant,
For flower sellers look onto me no more,
And bright skies grow saturated
By my fragility
As on I walk with little thought
In search of your scent
No longer overwhelming,
Now merely consumed by arcane roads
Where traders, like lover’s past
No finality,
Somewhere amongst the clouded skies of Shiraz.
Anthony Salandy is a mixed-race poet & writer whose work tends to focus on social inequality throughout late-modern society. Anthony travels frequently and has spent most of his life in Kuwait jostling between the UK & America. Anthony's work has been published 98 times. Anthony has 1 published chapbook titled 'The Great Northern Journey'. Twitter/Instagram: @anthony64120