Love Poem: Beneath Vanilla Sky
Phillip Garcia Avatar
Written by: Phillip Garcia

Beneath Vanilla Sky

‘Twas unsettled light which greeted me
  this morning first when after slept alone,
As though moon ascended too timidly
 and left no space for sun to call its own;
From nearby cars exhausted music played
 beneath vanilla sky bereft of clouds
  which drifted soft along the autumn song;
Lyrics crooned to lovers they wish had stayed
 in well-known tunes tight-wrapped in murky shrouds,
  for words I heard I knew were words sung wrong;

On walls confined were watched lost shadows dance,
 behind no sources seen to warrant life,
Perhaps by strings, thought I, this circumstance, 
 which threatened hopeful dreams with those of strife;
That’s when a specter turned t’wards me then said,
 with trembled voice resembling auto wrecks
  where metal twists around while flames take hold:
“Have you found comfort, poet, here in bed,
  did you already cash your father’s checks
   in death he left for you to live more bold?”

Quite stirred by ghostly taunts my mind arose
 to face what comes in towns with crooked roads,
Where trains that roll walk forth on broken toes,
  and carry empty freight but heavy loads;
Above, strange skies remained unchanged at all,
 no birds in flight nor planes left wispy trails
  while steps I made below brought echoes clear;
I checked my phone for felt I’d missed a call
 from one whose love was fresh but claims it stales
  and saw a barren screen with nothing there;

”Puppeteer,” I muttered as thoughts of loss
  found playful space within my weary grey,
Reflections held inside by feelings cross
  reminded me again she’s gone to stay;
Enraged and frozen by anger burning,
 my cheeks entrenched in caverns tears had dug
  near eyes turned red now viewing trucks ahead;
“So what?” I cried as dark sadness churning
  crept t’wards my shoulders to let out a shrug
   ‘fore steps made true her wishes I was dead;

“Open your eyes, honey, open your eyes.”
  What startles here now alive where I lay?
Pure splend’rous visions that rustle still skies
 and turn dreamt midnight to bright bursting day!
For seen before me a reason for life,
 with gemstone pupils more warm any fire
   breathing sweet breath from most resplendent face;
Comfort besieges tossed thoughts of my wife
 here now, personified loving desire,
  and ev’rything seems as in its right place. 

9/17/2016
Submitted for:  Movie Mania
Inspired by movie:  Vanilla Sky