I happened upon an otherworldly space

alongside Mary Gates Hall

where a shrubbery cave 

preserves 

a parallel path 

from the student rush.

Slender candlestick arms

hoist a cracked canopy.

A green igloo of

matcha, lime, and emerald beams 

rebounding 

off lava-lamp shell.

Have you ever seen the air before?

Been suspended by its colors?

I waded 

weightless

through blues and greens.

Buoyant,

I                     out

      drifted                  the                    side   

                                              other

and went to class. 

Chad Westra

Chad Westra (’15) is a Ph.D. student at the University of Washington where he studies modern Chinese history. He enjoys chess, following Detroit sports, and caring for the overgrowth of plants in his condo.