It stretches out, this space
between the quiet,
layered with chiming bells,
clip-clopping horses and
cars rumbling over cobblestones.
Teenagers sprawl on couches–
laughter and sneezing and sullen smiles;
sighs and thumping, socked feet.
Still we huddle together,
bars of chocolate on our tongues,
notes of the Beautiful Normal
thinly disguised as heaven
singing lullabies to
fractured hearts.

-jennifer j. camp