He builds her a universe to remember
before taking off, moving her
water glass so many degrees from
the coffee cup they've agreed
to call the sun, letting the pepper be
the star that's left in the bottom
of the Dipper's bucket. The saltshaker
marks where he'll soon be standing
on his back porch measuring the distance
between how he lives and how he knows
he can’t—light years from where
he's traced her hand in his flight
journal. Let the rim of my plate be
the curve of your earth, he says. When
salt spills, new stars burn the sky.
*Ten Minute Watercolor Postcard by Nadine Hergenrider
*Poem previously published in Fifth Wednesday Journal
Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful...especially grace-filled for any who have to make peace with things they would rather not...I feel it in my heart. The watercolor is a perfect companion
ReplyDeletekathleen and marylinn-
ReplyDeletethank you! nadine's watercolors inspire and i am so pleased this poem found a companion in her work.
"the coffee cup they've agreed to call the sun?" what a line, sherry, the whole thing is gorgeous
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry,
ReplyDeleteThis poem makes a world of grace out of the scene in the diner, making a beginning out of an end. It's a beautiful, well made poem.