we are in the light district in Chinatown
at the intersection of intimacy
and vulnerability
reflecting on how we fell in love
when the moon filled the sun.
random passerby
tells us to get a room
can’t stand the sight
of love pressed against concrete.
this is a city of both subway sauntering silence
and tear abrupt vehemence.
density agitates
angry expressions and
scandalous revelations.
how is he surprised by us?
or is it the shock from seeing
two queer girls
refusing
to be lovelost in hiding?
I am a transplant living in New York
so I am not someone who spills willingly.
but when I run into a pole, all disguises are wiped clean.
I blame the cry of my heart for my aching knee,
chaotically covering all trace of human sensitivity.
but still you see me.
still you love me.
and I understand
why some can’t stand love.
Cassidy Scanlon is a queer poet, Capricorn, and astrologer who received her BFA in Creative Writing from Chapman University. Her work has been featured in L'Éphémère Review, Loaf Mag, and other self-publications. She writes about astrology on her blog Mercurial Musingshttps://mercurialastromusings.blogspot.com/ and you can follow her on Twitter @sassidysucklon.