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The Empty Streets MAG

January 7, 2009
By Anonymous

I watched the traffic lights change
from green to yellow to red,
from behind my steering wheel,
from the other side of the glass.
And I drove the empty streets
that reminded me so much of
the empty hallways of your heart;
I guess I knew you weren’t coming back.
So I circled the block once more
hoping maybe we would pass
and I nearly thought we did,
but those weren’t your headlights
that I was staring at.
The slow and steady pulsing
of the biggest small town,
cars passing through lights
like my blood through valves;
missing you is like background noise,
like traffic outside my window at night.
And when I press my head to your chest
to hear the slow and steady pulsing
of your blood circling the block again,
the stars spread out before me
like city lights from atop a hill.

© Anonymous

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This article has 78 comments.

k8husted PLATINUM said...
on Aug. 21 2012 at 3:37 pm
k8husted PLATINUM, Central Point, Oregon
27 articles 3 photos 48 comments

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Bliss Cavendar:(Whip it 2009) The last time I wore skates, they had<br /> Barbies on them.

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It's just you.
InkWriter13 said...
on Jun. 16 2012 at 7:46 pm
Wonderful poem. A truly great metaphor/simile/analogy. Very effective, very real. An original thought, a powerful message. Great work on this. Loved it! 5 stars. :D Would you please comment on my poem titled the Girl? I would really love your feedback! :)
caylajoan GOLD said...
on May. 3 2012 at 9:09 am
caylajoan GOLD, Clark, New Jersey
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Favorite Quote:
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this is amazing, very creative! i can totally relate. love the imagery. keep it up ! 
SecrecyGirl17 GOLD said...
on Mar. 20 2012 at 2:20 pm
SecrecyGirl17 GOLD, La Monte, Missouri
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 i was a tad confused too and also loved the poem,perhaps that was the authors goal... leaving the reader unsure about where the peom ended things between the two
Missundrstoodx2 said...
on Jan. 14 2012 at 12:56 am
Missundrstoodx2, Indianapolis, Indiana
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this is wonderful, and probably hits home for a lot of people. i know i drive around all the time with the hypotheticals, thinking about alternative situations, thinking about the stillness of life...the connections we've made and what we would do to have them back, to have them always...
Muzix BRONZE said...
on Jan. 12 2012 at 2:11 pm
Muzix BRONZE, Washington, District Of Columbia
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I love this poem especially the last two lines good job keep up the good work !
nikkiee PLATINUM said...
on Nov. 9 2011 at 7:35 pm
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This is amazing. By far my favorite poem on teen ink :)
reblep GOLD said...
on May. 16 2011 at 9:02 pm
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beautiful, i can totally relate. 
Em28 said...
on Apr. 3 2011 at 8:11 pm
I love the connection between theheart and searching for this person that you love. The poem itself is so creative. You are a wonderful writer!
shizuka BRONZE said...
on Apr. 3 2011 at 5:59 pm
shizuka BRONZE, Brooklyn, New York
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the pic matches the poem perfectly!
my.freedom.lies.in.free.verse PLATINUM said...
on Apr. 3 2011 at 12:39 pm
my.freedom.lies.in.free.verse PLATINUM, Tosa, Wisconsin
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wow! i wish i could write half as good as u can!
Babbe2 BRONZE said...
on Mar. 12 2011 at 6:12 pm
Babbe2 BRONZE, Northbrook, Illinois
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I like this poem but i rlly wanna know wat u were thinking when u wrote it i cant figure it out
Beachgirl1 PLATINUM said...
on Mar. 12 2011 at 3:45 pm
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i like it, a little long for me, but very good
Liv_Drummer BRONZE said...
on Feb. 18 2011 at 6:22 pm
Liv_Drummer BRONZE, Mooresville, North Carolina
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seriously deep..
Zachary.S BRONZE said...
on Jan. 27 2011 at 7:53 pm
Zachary.S BRONZE, Dryden, New York
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while i love the imagery, just dont see how this makes sense. first, correct me if im wrong but the beginning of this poem makes it sound as though the writer is hoping to find this person they share a connection with, and at the end they write as though they have their head pressed to said persons chest, even though they stated the person was no where to be seen, in other words of course, earlier in the poem? maybe it just me but..
Atlantis PLATINUM said...
on Jan. 27 2011 at 5:04 pm
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Love it!!!
pnkninja11 BRONZE said...
on Jan. 5 2011 at 7:13 am
pnkninja11 BRONZE, Partlow, Virginia
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This is a great poem! I liked how you showed a lot of imagery with your words. It also showed deep emotions.
OriginalCarbonation GOLD said...
on Dec. 25 2010 at 9:44 pm
OriginalCarbonation GOLD, Naperville, Illinois
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i really enjoy how it had a certain off-ness to it but yet the very same way it wasnt quite right made it all the more spot on perfect.haha! that takes some serious talent. good job, keep it up! :)
gargar SILVER said...
on Nov. 22 2010 at 9:26 pm
gargar SILVER, .., New Jersey
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This poem is amazing! The metaphors are wonderful and you are very good at articulating your thoughts. Check mine out?
DaydreamBeliever GOLD said...
on Nov. 22 2010 at 9:23 pm
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i love how you pick words that fit but are not the words i would expect. 'like my blood through valves' it just fits and gives the poem a lighter, pprettir feeling:)