Sydney Carton to Lucy......................................L. E. Pace

L. E. Pace

Sydney Carton to Lucy

The cries of the Parisian mobs, clad in crimson, almost overwhelm this cart. A light snow powders the worn road.

On that hot summer’s night twelve years ago, I found you alone in your father’s house. My drunk shadow played over your needlework.

I watched your flash of silver and cool green threads conjure a pine forest, and a woman in lilac among gardenias.

Many a night have I sat, empty bottle in hand, by the dying Like Circe to her swine, so you have bewitched me. Your lips cry for your husband. Ahead, the burnished blade scatters sunlight. embers.

I’ll throw away my life as one discards an old garment, without much thought and perhaps even a little disdain. The cart creaks and rattles along the dirt road.