Cracks in the sidewalk
Hold me together
Like a mother’s loving arms
Cradling her newborn lump
A gust of wind flings the
Puddles from the sidewalk
Like a tsunami
Baptizing me with
Unholy stench

For a while, I can breathe
And for a while, I can see

All the lights of the city
Accessorizing the sunset
Like the various pins on my
Worn denim jacket

Each one rusted
Each one telling a thousand stories
Of basements, bad hair, and bloody knuckles
Like a family photo album
Collecting dust in somebody’s
Second cousin’s drug dealer’s basement

To think we got this far together
My rusty pins and me

Spring seemed out of reach
Just a few short weeks ago
But the cool air caressing my stubble
Let’s me know that sanctuary is
Just around the corner
I just need to keep walking
A few more aching nights

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Luke Campbell is a writer and musician from Silver Spring, Maryland. Influenced by authors such as Dennis Cooper and Brett Easton Ellis, his work often focuses on the dark side of American youth culture.  His short stories “Poltergeists” and “North Star” have been published by DarkWinter Literary Magazine and Alien-technology.com, respectively.  When he is not writing fiction or poetry, Luke performs with punk band Rickety Cricket.