THE AMERICAN CRIME STORY

THE AMERICAN CRIME STORY by Romel Martinez

Keep your head up is what you

said.

Learn how to jump, I’ll catch

you.

You can trust me! I’m the heart

Of your soul – the seed of

Your body. Nourish me,

For I need life.

The others believed in me –

See how they turned out.

Begging me for more.

Turning on themselves towards

Totality I trusted you –

I jumped – Never landed.

I don’t remember you there.

Were you waiting

Within the arms of the abyss.

In the shade of war; like the others

By the numbers – strict and

pressed for time –

Bathed in lies, I’ve tasted the

nectar

Of your youth.

And what did I expect?

I never believed in the afterlife –

Only in you – you were too real.

No, you were a dream.

A fantasy I could inhale – run

through

With ease like a mercurial river

of regret.

I swore to you.

You told me to jump – one life

to live.

I’m here now.

My chaste enveloped by hunger.

Image by Kate McGorry