I don’t entirely understand the physics
of Emily, but I know there was one moment
where she slowed herself down enough
for me that I could see the purple veins
on her scar look like a spool of lace
that refuses to give up an inch of beauty.
I have pulled at her many times. I can’t
believe we’ve been married for ten years. It’s
honestly felt like she just landed on my hand.
is the author of seven poetry collections, most recently A Fire Without Light (Nixes Mate Books, 2017). His eighth collection, Two Towns Over, was recently selected the winner of the Louise Bogan Award from Trio House Press, and is due out in March 2018. He is the Managing Editor of the Best of the Net Anthology and Ovenbird Poetry. He lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and children.
