31 dead that April
but history adjusts with exposure.
A parody of reach for Pripyat,
simple organic matter,
inorganic metrics,
paid posts in patronization
as sepia seeps contamination
through VSCO tinged
lens to turn shadows
a green shade all-Roswell.
Manufactured sympathy
and highlighted split tones
of surprise and disgust are
served as lunch out of rusted
Canteens. A mimicry of workers
who ran too slowly so
acid rain caught up
and explode as hashtags
across the screen.
Up the white balance to
vignette the scene
of tipped chairs to
abandoned lives.
Buy canned air
or fridge magnets
and pocket rubble.
In memorium, you:
Saturate because you can’t save
Post because you can’t protect
Like because you appropriate
Comment on a tragedy as
#commemoration.
________
Lauren T. Davila is a writer currently obtaining her MFA in Fiction from George Mason University. She received her BAs in English and Creative Writing from Pepperdine University. While jetsetting between Los Angeles and Washington DC, find her writing at coffee shops or the beach.
Photo of Chernobyl by Yves Alarie.
________
