Lilac Street

the streetlight burns a hole in the ground,

I follow the pavement cracks 

traversing along a familiar street,

I smell death and lilacs 

I spy a presence in the shadows

with long, black hair like me 

I strain my eyes to get a good look

but flowers are all I can see 

the night remains omniscient 

my breath, a condensed cloud 

trying to discern her face 

but the darkness is a shroud 

my fingers almost graze her skin

I reach, she turns around 

I see a youthful mirage of mine

yet etched with a frown 

a deathly pallor blinds my eyes

I blink–she’s gone, 

only lilacs remain where the phantom

has ceased to be.