Poetry by Shontay Luna
By the time she realized who her husband was, it was too late. Maybe they
loved each other though, in the beginning. But now, whispered lies disguised
as truthful rumors are the soundtrack of the town’s daily activities. Scandals
the audible snacks gossip mongers feed on. Who needs food with so many
juicy details to hear about? Surely that was nourishment enough. She didn’t
cheat on him. But her husband and the town officials decided not to hear her.
Their need for obstruction outweighing the truth. She can still sense the moment
Time stopped as the circle closed in around her. After her father missed several
times, the throw of her dear husband, was the first stone to strike her. After that,
all she recalled was a hard flurry of granite in different sizes that grew hateful
wings that flew toward her. She forgave the townspeople, as well as her sons.
And pray that, by some miracle, they end up nothing like their father. What he’s
done, is now of no matter. She’s now far away from the arid, gossipy enclave. In a
land of endless joy. The creator welcoming her shortly after her arrival. To the place
where there are no rumors, no scandal, no execution without trial. No lies created for
outward destruction and personal gain. Where the stones have all faded to dust.
More Poems By Shontay
If She Looks
If she looks at him, he’s in her path.
And if he’s in her path, she’ll devour him.
All he’ll see is the warm smile, pretty lashes
And the tight crimson dress. A timeless cocktail
of feminine seduction.
It felt good for him to be received; so warmly,
quickly, completely. Not caring about that
persistent little sensation that things were moving
too quickly.
Her strides helplessly alluring as she gets in the car
as he searches for the quiet spot. To do non-quiet
things.
There’s moonlight blanketing the empty field. Dark but
With just enough to catch the metallic glint. As the knife
pierced him, roaring into the kingdom of his insides, he
slumps and melds into the seats cushioning. She opens her
door, satisfied. And sashays away.
The Night
The night was like any other. Neither more bright or dark,
warmer or colder. Except for the flash of him as he passed;
sin in his smile.
She felt her blood suddenly run cold, embracing her in shivers.
Like Death in the eyes, she knew Danger was near. And Evil his
companion; sin in his smile.
That’s why the night seemed so blanketed in ordinary dressing;
normality a disguise most distracting.
Sin in his smile.
Turning the corner, he disappeared. Nevertheless, she turned and went
the other way. Avoiding the path his feet have taken. Evading him that
night, but never completely free. The flash of him occasionally riding the
uneasy waves of her dreams. Sin in his smile.
Bio: Shontay Luna is a poet / fanfiction author whose first job was a Movie Theater Concessionaire. Her poems have appeared in Olney Magazine, [alternate route] and The Literary Nest, among others. The author of four chapbooks, she lives in Chicago with her notebooks, pens and fanfiction fantasies. IG: @shontay_luna
Photos by: pexels/Rajesh S Balouria/Nate Cohen/Coby Degroot
Read more Poetry on The Yard
Follow Us On:
Looking for a book to read? Try our Bookstore, or True Crime Library
Read more on The Yard.
Yes, Mama
Crime Fiction by London Baker His name was Big Tony and as for me, I was called Al Greco. Big Tony was sort of the boss, you see? He was a big deal back then, though I guess he still is now. But now isn’t that important. Back then is what matters. Back then I…
The Getback
Crime Fiction by Michael Downing Eddie Reid died sometime after midnight. Cool on the street. A legend. But once you’re dead, all that cool means nothing. Dead is dead, and dead don’t care who you were or what you did before the end. His death was violent, ugly, the kind of thing that gets people…
Bitter Autumn
Crime Fiction by Scott Kauffman Two Fridays before Thanksgiving, Autumn watched through a rain-runnel windshield as her father hobbled out from under the stone-archway of Lucasville Penitentiary. In his one hand he gripped a small duffel bag. In his other what looked like could have been the same Bible he had with him when the…