--- L A U R E N   R I L E   S M I T H

ice field: odor
swing: cold hands bound against

affair: tie-&-nostalgia
boots: alleyway, cats, garbage cans scattering

like clapping coming from the movie theater,
rain on yr face walking up
& out of the New York subway: not crying

memory: cake
sparks: the blades of her skates

shop: hung
sweet: snow, egg

playing it back in her mind
over & over, inspecting
the moment like a small, gleaming gem

comma: lick
clouds: together

music: strings fading off, tentacles
hold: shiver

sixth chair in the
back of the orchestra: the girl with her pink-streaked
hair & soft, innocent sweaters

hands: all needles & honey
octopus: hush

mice: slash
rings: & their tiny, unblinking eyes