Los Angeles 2006 – Michael Roque

May 26, 2026

You’re just an old day
that ended in disillusion.

Venice—
the winter, 2006.
When the sun sank
over the ocean’s edge,
the wind became frigid.
The beach—
dark and deserted.

The dreads, incense, crystals—
just mimicry of people you dream of being.

Peace Frog—
Live at a boardwalk bar.
A Doors cover band
costumed as characters,
staging someone else’s rebellion,
we teens walked out—
vowing never to return.

Yesterday, I revisited that sensation—
leaving your stairwell.