The Miscellany presents another creative spotlight, this time focusing on sophomore Mackenzie Smith! She has kindly shared one of the poems she wrote for class recently. Mackenzie is from Lino Lakes, Minnesota, enjoys playing saxophone in Carleton’s jazz band, and spends much of her time reading or writing poetry and short stories. Thanks for sharing, Mackenzie!
Absconders
I count all
the ways I’ve lost
you and think of ways
to lose you even more
my only friend, the skeleton
lamp spills dull blood
ribbed and white
in its sallow half-light
your face hangs
on its frame, next to mine
we, the shadowed
chimeras of twilight
I dream my
self into a high
rise, an artist, or
someone’s best friend
I could seep
into my sheets
ooze until I dry
crack and scab and clot, or I
could invite you in
my hollow, then
you will flash your
waxen teeth, retreat
beyond the wall
where lovers purr
and I am steric
but we’re the same—
absconders
you drift away
but I wander
from this cold space I own
I feel less
alone when
I am the sole shadow in
the blue dust of new dusk
and stumbling
on virgin streets
the last of the beasts
stirring in the city