"From Where We Parted (Began Again)"

By Claire Kroening

(Instagram: @clairerosek)

September-spilled memories

hold me to after-hours I hope to forget-

from the brick walls,

the cracked pathways,

and the park by the river;

from the moments lasted,

the mended swing sets,

and the thoughts that linger thereafter;

from the rusted interstate bumpers,

the empty alleys between my fingers,

and the unanswered calls;

from the actions we've mistaken,

the beaming trolley lights,

and the locked stalls;

from the fallen thistles,

the broken arteries,

and the blank pages laying bare;

from the lies told to us,

the shaken pantry-darts,

and clinking of citrus glasses.

September holds me to memories,

vulnerable as cockatoo cages,

that I hope to forget.

About the Author:

Claire has been a poet and writer for over 4 years, their poetry receiving a topical award from NJ National Poetry Quarterly and publications in over 15 magazines.

Claire has a debut poetry book, Pressed Flowers of Adoration, forthcoming.

When not browsing the latest zines, they can usually be found working on their next endeavor at a local coffee shop, visiting art museums, and practicing their acrylic painting.

They currently reside in Wisconsin.