true strangers, they
since in the city
the dark before the dawn
is lit just the same
as winter evenings
since nobody is fooled
by some little thing
they themselves remember doing
still, once
since lying about an apartment
makes you leave everything
early and alone
to walk in the dark, cursing
since every single morning
the cars are all still
there, moving, full
of them, true strangers
since the will of god
seems always in their mouths
since because and since
I like this a lot, the bleak mood, the “island” stanzas linked by repeated words.
This is such a brilliant line break, too: “the cars are all still/there, moving, full”
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment and close reading.
I agree with Jennifer. You’ve created a wonderful mood with your words. And I adore the ending.
That is so sweet of you to say! Thanks!
“the cars are still/ there, moving, full/ of them” are such skillfully placed line breaks, J.
I had to read the first line three times before I got it. Not your fault, but mine. Such a clever line, “True Strangers, they, since in the city.” Were they hoping for a change since coming to the city? Oh the possibilities! Loved it.