The Century's Wake

The Century’s Wake by Michael R. Burch (lines written at the close of the 20th century and introduction of the 21st century) Take me home. The party is over, the century passed—no time for a lover. And my heart grew heavy as the fireworks hissed through the dark over Central Park, past high-towering spires to some backwoods levee, hurtling banner-hung docks to the torchlit seas. And my heart grew heavy; I felt its disease— its apathy, wanting the bright, rhapsodic display to last more than a single day. If decay was its rite, now it has learned to long for something with more intensity, more gaudy passion, more song— like the huddled gay masses, the wildly-cheering throng. You ask me— “How can this be?” A little more flair, or perhaps only a little more clarity. I leave her tonight to the century’s wake; she disappoints me. Originally published by The Centrifugal Eye. Keywords/Tags: new, century, wake, new year, new years day, celebration, party, Central Park, firework, fireworks, song, display, winter, December