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