Run, I beg the girl in the frame.

RUN BY TESS LIEGEOIS 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 98

Run,

I beg the girl in the frame.

She’s black and white and squared in silver.

The danger is coming—It will be there

soon, at your door

with a smile and clouded eyes,

salt and pepper hair combed neatly

to the side.

Already he’s in orbit,

tracing smaller circles to your gate,

drawn by gravity

to the warm and liquid center

of your heart

where he will live

for years

loving you

making you

forget what bad things are.

Don’t forget!

I shout

down the dark hall of time

to a girl cast in shadow

tucked neatly in her frame

who won’t hear me anyway.