3 Tourists Killed By Lightning Strike In Lafayette Square

In the days after,
People talk about where they belonged.
Wisconsin, LA. They talk of home.
I imagine an odd sort of betrayal.
Wonder if the light
would have been more gentle
from a familiar sky. Wonder
If the light would have left scars
And beating hearts, instead of
Blackened bones.

Or maybe
It would have been
the same flash-fire,
The same god of death
Brushing fingertips
against their hair.
Violently welcoming.
The light come down
To take them home.

***

Chloe Lanyi Lari is a DC-based poet who is currently studying at the Maryland Institute College of Art, creating things at Arena Stage, and working toward her lifelong goal of being taller than 5’2. Her art can be found on instagram @chloecloverart.