at 30 mph

Trần Quỳnh Nguyên

we move in motions, we hold hands, we
dance. in homespun gowns. in bowless
suits. under frantic disco lights. in
my make-believe. if i make you my
destination i’m only moving
further each day. in this silence, no one knows how
far we could go. at 30 mph, we run for our
lives. in black tight khakis, gripping my thighs under
this heat that’s gonna kill us all. at 30 mph, we
sprint towards an invisible finish line. in proud,
white shirts, drenched in sweat. i always fold my
sleeves twice then line my hands down my
body, just to feel thin like cover girls, then carry this
backpack on one shoulder feeling like i carry
the world when all i ever do is look for a corner
to belong.