You Were Never Here
Forever the alien

in between—
places that never let you in,
beds that shake you off like dust,
that swallow warmth before it sets,
like a body rejecting the transplant.
-
rain sutures the glass shut,
pulled too tight, skin split at the seams.
The city flickers - a misfire,
a stutter between frames,
an image slipping through cracked film.
The faces you left behind do not tune in,
do not search the static for your voice.
You are an absence that does not echo.
-
you could be anywhere,
any city, any room,
but always the same alien—
a guest never meant to arrive,
a ghost they keep replacing.
-
no way back—
not because the doors are locked,
but because the walls would spit you out
like something sour on the tongue.
Even the echoes refuse your shape,
rearrange themselves for someone else.
-
the city exhales—
but it is not breath, it is erasure,
and the space where you stood
does not stay empty for long.
.
About the Creator
Iris Obscura
Do I come across as crass?
Do you find me base?
Am I an intellectual?
Or an effed-up idiot savant spewing nonsense, like... *beep*
Is this even funny?
I suppose not. But, then again, why not?
Read on...
Also:
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insight
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab



Comments (3)
This poem is a haunting and powerful exploration of alienation and displacement, beautifully crafted. "a guest never meant to arrive, / a ghost they keep "replacing""—This perfectly captures the feeling of profound disconnection. The imagery throughout is striking and evocative, creating a visceral sense of unease and longing.🌞🩶🤎
Your descriptions are delicious in this one. I love the stories you tell! Such unique perspectives and perceptions of the world.
"a guest never meant to arrive, a ghost they keep replacing." "You are an absence that does not echo." "beds that shake you off like dust, that swallow warmth before it sets, like a body rejecting the transplant" Those are my favourite lines! Such a poignant and intense poem. I loved it!