child of the afternoon

Sharp winter shapes of trees and towers
look up child, you’re here
my heart sings as I grin
into a full scarf and coffee
floating through town on a tutorial high

Drawing my path home
are curtains of placid light
to worn leather and library depths
the nooks of learning and yearning

but for a second I’m free,
a child of the afternoon
rare peace on the platform
between my trains of thought

and with a rush, the flourish of
crowds brushing past city skin
Clock chimes and I know it’s time
to blink my last goodbyes
at these dreaming spires

by Bianca Michelle Rasmussen, 2020.