an elegy to gold

Poem by Grace Payne

Art by Athena Li

I met you in the summer heat— forever fated fever dream.

still with your love, I turn water to steam


slowly you seep into every rivet 

trailing my lips for a fine sweet minute


the most sugary maple tree

could never compare to thee


such pleasure to behold, your bottled gold,

endless summer I forever hold


but once the fleeting moment passes

I feel the weight of all my classes


with sorrow I sink into numbing routine

my only hope, from you I glean


drifting to sleep I am sick with woe

your absence is my bitterest foe


yet still in my heart such joy you stir up,

my beloved roger’s golden syrup.