last week’s dark nubbins
spread petals to open as lilacs
with each corolla blossom
letting go
i turn to inhale
pause for a long linger on gray painted porch steps
here i am coming and stalling and going
where hours of rain
leave a sheen
droplets
on heart-shaped leaves
drift
to edges
of each flat green surface
i focus as one droplet becomes
becomes pendant
transparent
this
suspended jewel
soon will surrender
to gravity
i wait
for the molecules’ final parting
wind tug
top branch shake
still the pendant holds without a visible shiver
this invisible quiver
no motion commotion
although i know inside exists incessant clatter
i watch until
this single pendant widens on the stem
then drops lost newfound
Mary Ellen Talley’s poems have been published in numerous literary journals including Gyroscope, Raven Chronicles, Rat’s Ass Review, and Banshee as well as in several anthologies. A former school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP), she resides in Seattle, WA. Her work has received three Pushcart nominations. A chapbook, “Postcards from the Lilac City” was published by Finishing Line Press in 2020.
Banner image courtesy the poet.
