Sanctuary

by Julia Jin
Art by Cynthia Wang
Issue: Serein (Summer 2016)


Past the safety of the barred church walls the world croaks and whimpers,

I know you’re there.

the weeping winds outside the wooden doors call and shriek,

Please open up.

and the windows shiver against those crying prayers,

Let me in.

which plead so desperately to me.

Save me.

 

Quiet.

 

I do not dare to speak,

I’m sorry.

though the words drip like tears,

Please forgive me.

as my hands clutch my ears and block out the din,

I was afraid of opening the door.

lest that screaming silence tear my quivering heart in two.

I didn’t mean to leave you out there.

A person sits on the sill of an open window, legs tucked in and back turned away.