Seattle is lonely

by Melodie KG

Seattle is lonely.

Young and trapped in a small town, 

with streets I meandered over and over, 

I wished for something bigger, grander

And just 60 miles up the road was this Northern Light–

the great Big City 

Lights, open ocean

expensive skylines, international allure…

the NYC I never thought I’d have access to,

Seattle was The Thing.

Seattle—the ex-lover who broke my heart.

Me—a weird kid with big dreams, contained to a small box.

I found Seattle at the precise time I needed to, 

Falling in love with the anonymity it provided.

Today, Seattle is gray.

The shit, piss, and ocean combine to make a symphony of smells.

Two thirds of the downtown corridor is boarded up—

an adult city in its late-30’s 

who peaked in high school 

but now is tired and old.

Its heft faded 

from a once-sturdy rope 

into a meager strand

 Photo by Huck Reyes