Saturday, September 21, 2024

When I Have Nothing

 

Sunlight and droplets of water

are sparkling diamonds

dancing across my neck,

 

my turned-up palms

are filled with golden light,

and the turquoise sky feathers me

with kisses.

 

A stirring in the branches

of a jacaranda tree

sweeps across my eyes, blueing them

with shadow.

 

September’s oranges are plumping,

yellow splotches forming

on their dark emerald shells—

an invitation to a far-off harvest of sweetness.

 

The navy-coal cloak of midnight

wraps me in suede, clinging

like a crush—

 

with the flaming ruby of my lips

repeating your name

on the low-howling desert wind.

 

 

© 2024 Jennifer Wagner