Single
by Kelley White

rain
yesterday I heard your footsteps on the porch
listened as you paused at my door
I took a breath;
you went away

lace
and I am still waiting, hungry
my hand kneaded the tension
off my brow,
too late, too empty

stitch
carry me home, carry me over
the hollow we made
by our laughter
in the snow

heart
sick, bitter, a muscle in a jar
twitch night and grimaced
the old man
at home

key
who is the angel
who left a shadow
behind
the window shade

box
a child is crying; I may have to carry
that anger, that need, those eyes
that ask me
for time

hinge
break the desert with
a fountain, break the sun
with a rain
of song

leaf
and small, she is a lonely
mother, too many children
to bind
in her silk

drawer
lower the window
take…