I Live In a City of Monsters

Things aren't always what they seem. People aren't always what they seem.

I live in a city of dinosaurs.
They stand still.
And pretend to be structures of steel and drywall.
But I know the truth.
They breathe
And blink
When everybody is focused on traffic
And tabloid scandals
And the incompetent coffee-boy mixing their frothy rush-hour drinks.

 

I live in a city of crying geese.
They moan like sinners.
But I know better.
They're all just faking it to ward off the gunmen.
I envy their longevity:
I went hoarse three weeks ago
And I'm surprised I'm not dead yet.

 

I live in a city of reanimated fossils,
Where I stay skinny so I won't be spotted
As human.
Sometimes, there's a crash
In our sidewalk mobs.
Followed by a cry of pain.
Those are the saddest days.
As we move towards the spotted preserved,
Me, along with my bone brothers,
And they go down beneath the sea of crunching marrow
Like a broke-winged bird.

 

I live in a city of monsters,
Hideous,
Grotesque monsters,
With yellow fingernails
And blood shot eyes.
But they whisper the most beautiful things.
Sometimes,
I wonder if they're really monsters at all.

Reviews

[raining]

this is a poem which i like, there that is enough. i wish i could take this poem and carry it somewhere, and it is summer, and i carry it through the crooked doors of certain mountains we all go to to see sometimes, like we think it is a vacation and we think we know and give up knowing so it wont get in the way, and that is probably how i like this poem.

or i could say the structure is narrative, and you are experimenting with breathing each line, that works well, it is also a variation of things some poets of my (I am an old woman) generation would call stream of consciousness writing, getting all Jungian, and all... of that...thanks raining

[Jessica M.]

This is a beautiful piece especially how in the end you humanize the monsters, and the flow really does suit the work. Nice write.

[I C S Clark-Hogg]

First I must say that I do not usually read prose in this form; but after saying that, I must confess I do like your ideas on the monsters who surround you.

[Vox Machina]

I really like this poem. The concept of simultaneously hating and loving the city is familiar to any urbanite, and what poet hasn't said, "I'm surprised I'm not dead yet." Universal in theme and flawless in execution. Bravo.

[Una Xoto]

holy wow fantastic! This was really great. You have quite a poetic eye & flow. Best thing I have read in a bit. Look forward to reading more.