"South Harbor Blvd, 4am" by Arnaldur Stefansson

Stumbling through
an Anaheim missing
its overcoat of tourism.
Palm trees dot the margins
of the concrete swath
still warm to the touch.

First-time drunk
on too much Captain.
My eyes glue to the ground,
counting steps taken

in the mostly straight line
I make towards a destination
that does not exist anymore.

Los Angeles,
I was dreaming of you then.

A future as sunset,
swarming; a hillside patio
in the city of dreams.
This was before I learned
your pastel-pink skies
are only air pollution.

I search in the asphalt’s
many cracks
for the friends
who abandoned

me with strangers,
  but all can see
   are the cockroaches
    scurrying away.

             
Arnaldur Stefansson is a junior double majoring in English & Creative Writing. Originally from Reykjavík, Iceland, Arnaldur came to Iowa on an Esports scholarship, but has since found a sense of belonging in the vibrant creative community on campus. He currently serves as the managing editor for The Waldorf Literary Review.