Features

I think about a person who I will never meet. 

Behind cedar desks and paper monoliths, 

the shepherd of the gate wears khakis. 

An office allocated to do god's work, 

yet the only cross you’ll find

is where the cigarettes

overlap atop the ashtray. 

May I ask, when did we permit

the constrained to undertake the duty

of granting freedom under fluorescent lights. 

Some say it only takes them a few minutes. 

I think about where I will be when they decide. 

When they decide

whether or not to let a body of water

stop me from moving mountains. 

I wish I could tempt them with warm confections

I wish I could tell them I have been waiting years for this 

I wish I could promise I just need a few days with him

I wish I could scream we’re running out of time. 

All I know is that,

this person who I will never meet, 

behind cedar desks,

and paper monoliths,

will never meet me either. 

I think about a person who I will never meet. 

Behind cedar desks and paper monoliths, 

the shepherd of the gate wears khakis. 

Coffee breath, I imagine ovate glasses, 

consummately ignorant of their torment. 

Sniffing out desperation daily,

responsibly,

considering evidence under dim fluorescent lamps. 

I wish I could tempt them with warm confections,

I wish I could tell them I have been waiting years for this, 

I wish I could promise I just need a few days with him.

I wish I could scream we’re running out of time. 

Regardless, a conclusion will be reached in minutes. 

I think about where I will be when they decide. 

When they decide

whether or not to let a body of water

stop me from moving mountains. 

All I know is that,

this person who I will never meet,

behind cedar desks and paper monoliths, 

Will never meet me either. 

Pretha Prabhakar is a senior design major at the School of Visual Arts who resides in New Jersey with her family.