Lilly Aldrin Ghazel by Charles Payne

I don’t know what we are supposed to be doing.
I don’t know why we are doing it today, Marshall.

Cumulus clouds cry tears of butterflies, and June bugs go
splat on windshields. Our sky transforms from green to grey.

I stood there in relief rainfall, listening to what heaven
had to say, burdens of a polluted atmosphere covering up

desires I have to be with you, my admiration forecasted through
weather apps issuing freeze warnings on clear and calm nights 

I think that I want to be with you! But
they say lilies can survive without human interaction or touch.

About Charles Payne - Our April 2022 Poetry Contest Winner

Charles Payne, M. Ed is a Madison transplant, a certified teacher, and a self-taught spoken word artist from Michigan. His work explores personal narrative and social commentary. He is the firstborn of a strict father and naïve mother. As a child, he loved hearing the sound of Paul Harvey's voice, whose innate ability to describe every intricate detail truly inspired Charles to tell stories himself. Charles has won the Moth's first ever Central Grandslam (Chicago), Charles has recorded a TEDx talk with St. Edward's University (Texas), performed at the 3rd annual Madison Moth Grandslam (Wisconsin), the National Poetry Slam (North Carolina), and Individual World Poetry Slam (Washington), and other showcases across the country. And yes, he can't wait to give you the rest of the story.

Instagram: @cep34