Independence Night, Boston (II)

The red line spews out arms and legs.
Racing in place, nobody moves.
Garbage swirls against violet suns;
Strobe lights wreathe
Crowds in peach. Someone pulls
My arm tenderly back.
Another one jumps,
Caught by the steam.

Through rain and fire I never
Grow up.
When robins die they stay intact,
Eerily colored in the trash.
Fried dough and soft serve
Is America, tonight,
Just tonight. I'm born on a velvet pillow
Into this.

We never tire, skidding on black concrete.
Vendors scream our needs. Where
Are my wars, gods,
God wars, war
Gods? I get this thud --
A thud, an itch in my heart, my brain,
With ribs too small. I'm born on a velvet
Pillow into this.
One by one apartments start glowing.

Fridays beneath glass ceilings

I close my
Eyes and it
Closes in on like a spindle
Spinning in a needle's
Thread. Someday
When you're old and
Far too sober, you'll
Be too rational for a
Suitable oceanside
Brash affair, like
A diamond, only less
Cultured, which
Can douse itself
In vinegar, or acid
Or whatever the fuck
Diamonds need
To corrode just a
Little
(A little coal-like

Flair never hurt anyone).
And you'll be too
Sensible to answer
My unspeech,
And the way some of us
Prefer sinking into couches
Like quicksands
Over slick

Verb plays. A windmill
Strokes the ceiling: I follow it!
I'm skirting edge with the dusts.

Christine Surka is a student at Brandeis University studying biochemistry and planning for a career in research. She is involved with her school's publications, particularly the literary magazine Laurel Moon where she has had numerous poems published. She also enjoys photography, painting, running, and mountain biking. She currently lives with her family in Massachusetts. Christine Surka is a student at Brandeis University studying biochemistry and planning for a career in research. She is involved with her school's publications, particularly the literary magazine Laurel Moon where she has had numerous poems published. She also enjoys photography, painting, running, and mountain biking. She currently lives with her family in Massachusetts.