The Night Where You No Longer Live

By Meghan O'Rourke

Was it like lifting a veil
And was the grass treacherous, the green grass
 
Did you think of your own mother
 
Was it like a virus
Did the software flicker
 
And was this the beginning
Was it like that
 
Was there gas station food
 
and was it a long trip
 
And is there sun there
or drones
or punishment
or growth
 
Was it a blackout
 
And did you still create me
And what was I like on the first day of my life
 
Were we two from the start
And was our time an entrance
or an ending
 
Did we stand in the heated room
Did we look at the painting
 
Did the snow appear cold
Were our feet red with it, with the wet snow
 
And then what were our names
Did you love me or did I misunderstand
 
Is it terrible
 
Do you intend to come back
 
Do you hear the world’s keening
 
Will you stay the night

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