The Shining

Photo by J.Lorito

By J.Lorito

Tracy’s basement

& want of sex

through 

horror movie

but I reject you

more loyal 

to your friend—

the one who used 

to finger me 

standing up 

on a lawn 

on Stockman 

while you peed 

in the street—  

he moved to B.C.

& we were left over

picked through 

like bins at the 

Goodwill on Jarvis 

that gave Carmen 

body lice 

left to Tracy’s basement

that summer

who’s still around?

staying up all night

watching The Shining

until you come in

for the kill

& I reject you

so we stay up talking 

someone’s fucking 

upstairs

but we are talking

laughing and relieved

past the nonsense

to honesty

to honour your friend

my ex 

or at least someone 

who made out with me 

drinking

on Stockman—

one morning 

we woke up 

in Melissa’s van

drunk & hungry

stumbling home 

so early

quiet street

better than 

sleeping in 

the ditch 

there was 

something sweet 

that he never even 

tried to fuck me 

maybe 

he was too drunk

but I liked to believe 

somehow he loved me

& soon after 

you fall in love 

with my friend

who dies in a car crash

& visits me in dreams

for years 

I see her eyes

I run into you 

10 years later

in a narrow staircase 

far from Tracy’s 

basement

& I want 

to talk to you

but my boyfriend 

& your girlfriend

exchange glances

so I descend the stairs 

& you ascend them

have a good night

& we never 

see each other again