After the Parade, Before the Loneliness
Image by Brankam from Unsplash
The confetti still stuck to my shoes,
a child’s scream echoing into dusk.
You danced,
and I watched you
become the blur behind the marigolds.
Later, I ate leftover tacos in silence,
stared at the sombrero you left
like a joke we forgot to laugh at.
Fireworks mimicked gunshots.
Memory mimicked love.
I whispered “¡salud!”
to your ghost in the mirror.
Want more poetry? Try some of these poems from our other amazing writers at TheMockingowl Roost!
- Dandelion Garden, a Poem
- Home When I Get There: A Poetry of Loss and Love
- A Touch to Remember, a Poem
- At Daybreak – a Poetry Reading
Joshua Walker
Joshua Walker, also known as The Last Bard, is an independent poet whose work explores memory, identity, and the fragile spaces between connection and solitude. Drawing from personal experiences and the layered textures of everyday moments, his poetry weaves raw emotional honesty with vivid metaphor and subtle surrealism. Based in Oklahoma City, Joshua’s work has appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies, blending introspection with universal themes. When not writing, he advocates for mental health awareness and the enduring power of poetry to capture the unspoken truths of human experience.
