Written by D. Lane Sharp
I am here. Finally. All the way across the country, and here I am.
I don’t know what I expected Portland to be like. Wet, I think. Not today though. Today was HOT. It was almost 90 degrees. Color me surprised.
I look up. No clouds. My boyfriend hangs low in the sky—Orion the hunk. I blow him a kiss. He twinkles back at me. Oh, stop it, you’re making me blush. He followed me all the way here. Can you believe it? All the way from home. Stalker.
I lean over the railing of this motel. I’ll stay here tonight. I need a shower and sheets that smell clean or at least the bleachy illusion of clean. I know that I don’t have a lot of cash, and I promise to keep my expenses low. I’m here to find Mars. The Mars hunt starts tomorrow. It’s b.s. typing this on my phone. My laptop is in the room. Sooo lazy, but it’s nice out here tonight. The heat lifted, and there’s a cool breeze and the air smells like flowers and sweet talk.
Portland is beautiful and green and soft. Soft in the way that a picture with an Instagram filter can be soft—soft, comfortable, touchable but unreal and fake. Ha ha, I’m suspicious of it—Portland. I can’t believe what it tells me.
“Hey, Curious,” Portland says, “I’m beautiful and green and I have so many trees and mountains to look at. People here are so trusting and likewise trustworthy, pedestrians will step right out in front of a car, trusting the car to stop. Come on in. Welcome. Snuggle up. Tuck your little head under my beardy chin. Beers and parks and children who wear crazy clothes and shoes on the wrong feet because they dressed themselves today can be found here. Close your tired eyes. You’re safe in Portland.”
But you’re not. You’re not safe in Portland. Portland lies. Mars came to Portland and never came back.
Alright. Just checking in. For all of you who are keeping tabs on me…
Spotify just dished up some Careless Whisper. That’s what Portland is—an f-ing careless whisper. George Michael. Blerg.
To the heart and mind
Ignorance is kind
There’s no comfort in the truth
Pain is all you’ll find
Careless Whisper
-George Michael
Until next time. I’m signing off.
-Curious in Portland
D. Lane Sharp 