Anniversary
by Claudia Lehman
Orange silk sunset, shot with shadow,
a thousand evenings, none the same
as any—or this—sky broken open,
oozing under the storm,
spreading into the fields,
fireflies scattered in hesitant rain.
One more dimming sky.
One more day’s measure
from the last word you spoke
brings one more evening
empty of your laughter
brings one more morning
into which your name, spoken,
will fall into space
as clear as water,
without a ripple,
without reply.
Claudia Lehman lives in Păltiniş, Romania, with her favorite poet, Kyle, and their daughters, Josephine and Lucia. She loves teaching, old books, Earl Grey tea, wildflowers, and her comfort zone.
Photography by Kenneth Godoy