Deserted City (Poetry)

All those who lived here —
shared its breath — have gone
the buildings vacant
lights left burning on
throughout a night indifferent
in its calm
for nothing stirs — no cause now
for alarm.

Stone gargoyles leer from parapet
and ledge
iron railings rust and shadows
blunt the edge
of stairways leading to
each open door
where quiet decay hangs lifeless
to its core.

Grey mist pervades — a subtle veil
to hide
the emptiness that stretches
city-wide
it swirls between the ruins —
lingers round
to keep its secrets —
stifles any sound.

Imagination raised
these buildings high
and then moved on — no rhyme
or reason why.
Like monuments they haunt —
disturb the night —
their windows blaze like sockets
blind with light.