Destination Thirteen// Sun-Stained Bricks

Rewinding and Flashing Forward on the Trapeze of Tomorrow

Destination Thirteen

This shadow box from the past creates

batches of fresh memories. You color them,

you paint by number, you stare up

with wide hazel eyes and awkward bangs

at the bedroom ceiling that looks like

an azure animal kingdom made from

puffed cotton balls. Reaching through time,

my fingers entwine with yours. Nodding

at the sight of ripped-in-the-quick

fingernails. Flashing gentle smirks at

ballpoint pen tattoos. Many livelong days

lie ahead, but please listen to everything

to everything I wish I could have told you

once upon a time. Reflect often in the backyard clubhouse.

Stare intently at the stars. Search for Neptune,

Saturn and colorful comet tails. Rewinding with you

is nostalgic, like songs by The Cure booming

through CD player speakers. The Phantom of the Opera

jewelry box jingles on the dresser, you're still attached

to the Music of the Night. You will claim your place,

you will waltz with more paper faces from the masquerade.

Time becomes a truth-teller whenever

you're sturdy enough to collapse

into your own arms

nurturing embrace.

Photo by Alessia Cocconi on Unsplash

Sun-Stained Bricks (Views from the Trapeze of Tomorrow)

First consider the candy-stripes on this folded-up tent.

The quick-witted jokes on train car filled

with friendly freaks and bizarro oddities .

Listen to the sighs escaping the lips

of a collapsing, deflating, balloon.

Measure the suggestions of what may come,

tiptoeing along the tight rope, swinging

with ease from the trapeze of tomorrow.

Lions never forget how to roar and claw

for confidence, draping them in golden capes.

Then they will learn how to frolic 

and how to skip along slabs 

of tawny, sun-stained brick.

Photo by ckturistando on Unsplash

© 2025. Ally Campanozzi. All rights reserved. “Destination Thirteen,” and “Sun-Stained Bricks (Views from the Trapeze of Tomorrow)”