Devil’s Bunker, CA (A Love Letter) 
Sophie Tao

The waves weep your name
as they hurl themselves
against the cliffs. Bitter wind
slices through my skin with the ghost
of your strawberry perfume. Howling
across my face as if it remembers
the contours of yours
as you stood at the rim of the world.
 
In the distance, the horizon
spins endlessly.
The sun and moon play
their futile game of tag.
Stars split in two like embryos
in the womb of the universe,
then collapse
into black dwarfs. Twin flames
smolder and die out. Again
and again, relentless.
 
Everything is moving past me.
 
In a sudden daydream, I see poppies
blooming all over the coast.
I fall to my knees
and feel your outstretched hand meet mine
through the rough gravel.
Seagulls cry out
wake up, wake up
and I wonder
if their voices reach you. I wonder
why the world
didn’t take me instead.
 

 
                                                                                    ~ ~ ~
​                                                                                                                  MAY 2026