Runaway

by Alicia Tai

I remember when we were young
We were sitting in a field,
I looked to where the daisies sprung
And then to where you kneeled

“I want to run away”, I said
Of course, you asked where
I scratched my head
And said, “Anywhere but here,

I’ve woken up to this bedsheet
Fallen asleep to this door
I’ve walked up and down this street
I don’t think I can take any more

It’s been 17 years
That I’ve done the same thing
I’ve shed the same tears
I’ve felt the same spring

I’m tired of the view
And this suburban city life”
I turned back to you
Your gaze was sharper than a knife

“Let’s do it,” you replied
“Let’s run away then,
I’m coming though, you need a ride
And I don’t trust other men...

Where do you want to go?
Is there a specific place?”
I thought for a while, until- “I know,
I want to go to space!”

“Alright,” you declared,
“Let’s go together some day”.
I looked at you; I stared
I didn’t know what to say
​
Back then, you laughed out loud
I’m sure you’ll laugh at me now too
For having my head up in a cloud
For believing in you.

I still think about running away,
About escaping to somewhere new
I know that I can’t stay
Where there are still traces of you.

---

Alicia Tai is a 19 year old student studying English at UBC. She is very passionate about all things art, may it be music, language, or visual. She also reads a lot, and wishes to obtain a library just like Belle in Beauty in the Beast. Her favourite genre is fiction, and she hopes to one day be able to publish a novel of her own, inspiring others to pursue their imagination. She has put careful time and effort into these pieces, and hopes you enjoy them all!