in the perpetual construction site of my early adolescence
looming orange dirt beckoned
my soiled bicycle
to prove
I grew out of the grass planted
in the retention pond before
houses were built
pipes inched through
temporary causeways from which I
stared laid hands on bare roots
reaching toward the half-naked sun
as if God would replant
undo what was done
I planted
my feet took daisies by the stems
lost border trees to bottle castaways
honeysuckle entrails in the orange
dirt staining my knees still festers
beneath my fingernails
it’s just plants uprooted
just pebbles and stones
just bones and homes
my soiled bicycle
to prove
I grew out of the grass planted
in the retention pond before
houses were built
pipes inched through
temporary causeways from which I
stared laid hands on bare roots
reaching toward the half-naked sun
as if God would replant
undo what was done
I planted
my feet took daisies by the stems
lost border trees to bottle castaways
honeysuckle entrails in the orange
dirt staining my knees still festers
beneath my fingernails
it’s just plants uprooted
just pebbles and stones
just bones and homes
Litter
A Dunkin’ Donuts cup, size large, lid not included.
Two packs of Camels – crumpled hourglasses.
A Corona bottle skittering away from your big toe.
One plastic Walmart bag, letters catching branches.
Half a notebook, boasting in glitter pen: Allie loves Ben.
Sixteen cigarette stubs angled like broken ankles.
A fawn, tongue piercing her freckled lips.
Two packs of Camels – crumpled hourglasses.
A Corona bottle skittering away from your big toe.
One plastic Walmart bag, letters catching branches.
Half a notebook, boasting in glitter pen: Allie loves Ben.
Sixteen cigarette stubs angled like broken ankles.
A fawn, tongue piercing her freckled lips.
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Emily LightEmily Light’s poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in Lunch Ticket, SOFTBLOW, Into the Void, and Star 82 Review, among others. She teaches English and lives in Boonton with her husband and son.
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